12 — 



Chionobas semidea, Say. 

 V)\ A. G. Weeks. |r. 



So liltlc has been said regarding the collecting of our rare mountain 

 l)utterny, Chionohjs semidea, that a few words in that respect, noting the 

 spots on Mt. Washington, where the insect Hies, may prove of value to 

 some of your readers. 



C. semidea is not fouml below the timber line, but inhabits the rocky 

 barren ground, five thousand feet above sea level. Those taken by me 

 were found eight hundred to twelve hundred feet below the summit. 

 none being seen above or below this line. 



I recommend the ascent from the Crawford House, by the bridle path 

 over INIts. Clinton, Pleasant, Franklin, and Monroe, a distance of eight or 

 nine miles. After passing Mt. Monroe, a level area comes into view, form- 

 ing a part of Mt. Washington, and about one thousand feet below the 

 summit. This space is one to two miles long, running north and south, 

 bordering Tuckerman's Ravine, and called as it reaches the southern clifts, 

 Boott's Spur. The butterflies were scattered over this "field", but most 

 commonly in the line of the path and along the summit slope to the 

 cliffs. As one ascends towards the summit they become scarce, and 

 finally tlisappear altogether about two huntired feet above the level ground. 

 Walking around the summit on the westerly side, none were seen until 

 anodier comparatively level area was reached, extending from the railroad, 

 track easterly to the cliffs overlooking the ravine, called the Gulf of 

 Mexico. Here a number were found, but they were not as plentiful as 

 on Boon's S{)ur. But few more were found outside of these two spots. 



In its flight, C. semidea resembles closely our small moths, when 

 roused from their hiding places during the day. Rarely raising more than 

 two or three feet, they drop clumsily into the grass or among the stones, 

 perhaps twent\- feet awav. When they rise from the ground the wintl 

 usually takes them and carries thcin out of sight, rendering collecting 

 hard and disappointing. Although clumsy and sluggish in the use of 

 their wings, they are not so with their legs, and move about with a quick 

 jerky motion. 



Although these butterflies do not gather in swarms, they nevertheless 

 seem to seek companionship, and, one being started, another may be 

 found some five to ten feet away. 



They do not slop on flowers or on grass blades. When at rest they 

 either remain on the side of boulders or tucked away under the grass, 

 from which it takes them some time to free themselves. 



They were not seen flitting about as do their brethren in the valleys. 

 None were seen on the wing unless aroused by some one approaching. 



