NYMPHALID/E. I73 



it is most significant that, while on the Continent the butterfly 

 occurs commonly in two broods, in May and June and in 

 September, and flies in Switzerland at every elevation up 

 to 7000 or 8000 feet, the specimens taken in this country 

 are almost invariably found in August, September, October, 

 or even November, and suggests that either the first brood is 

 here omitted, or that the specimens seen are immigrants from 

 their Continental home. Mr. S. Stevens, however, tells me 

 that in 1872, when he took six, some had but just emerged, 

 and could not have flown far, their condition being so 

 perfect. 



Usually a very rare species here, single specimens, at long 

 intervals, being taken in widely distant localities. Possibly 

 overlooked now and then, as its flight is said somewhat 

 to resemble that of Parargc Mcgcrra^ with which insect it also 

 agrees in size. Mr. Sydney Webb says that it has a habit 

 of sailing along, and then suddenly di'opping down, like a 

 skylark. Certain it is that young collectors who do not 

 despise common things are rather apt to secure this prize. 

 Their feelings on seeing so brilliantly beautiful a creature in the 

 net must be somewhat enviable. Captures are recorded from 

 Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire, Sussex, Surrey> 

 Hants, Dorset, and Wilts. Mr. J. Hartley Durrant states 

 that a record exists of its being found in plenty in Hertford- 

 shire in 1818, but such a record is difficult to believe. Major 

 J. N. Still took three specimens near Musberry, Devon, in 

 186G. Two have even been recorded in Yorkshire, one of 

 them by the late Mr. Edwin Birchall, and to him is due the 

 knowledge of its occurrence in Ireland, as he took a specimen 

 in 1864 in a lane leading from Mucki-oss to Mangerton, 

 Killarney. But the favoured resort of the species with us is 

 undoubtedly Kent, and Dover seems to enjoy a distinguished 

 pre-eminence. It appears to be found there in every fairly hot 

 season. In 1882, twenty-five were said to have been taken 

 in that district, and twelve in 1883. Mr. Webb recorded it 

 as occurring in some numbers in 1880 ; and in 1868, 1870, 



