^46 BUTTERFLIES 



seed-pods and devour their contents. There seem to be 

 generally two broods in a season, even in the more northern 

 parts of its range, while toward the south there are prob- 

 ably at least three broods. The butterflies are found upon 

 the wing almost any time in summer, especially from early 

 June until late in August. 



The Banded Hair-streak 



Thecla calanus 



This is one of the most familiar of the delicate little 

 butterflies grouped in the genus Thecla. It occurs rather 

 commonly in a great stretch of territory extending from 

 Maine, west to Nebraska, south to New Mexico and Texas, 

 and east to Alabama and Georgia. It also occurs in a 

 limited area on the coast of California. The general color 

 of the upper surface is a dark brown, which in the male is 

 marked near the front edge of the fore wings with a dis- 

 tinct gray patch of scent scales. The under side is similar 

 in color to the upper except that the outer half of the wing 

 is marked by two series of broken lines in white, blue, and 

 brown and a brilliant bit of coloring just in front of the tail 

 projection of the hind wings; this coloring shows beautiful 

 tones of red, blue, and black. 



These little butterflies may often be seen visiting the 

 midsummer flowers but are fully as likely to be found along 

 the sides of a shady road, where they rest upon the leaves 

 of trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants. When disturbed, 

 they fly up in small companies but soon settle back again 

 into their previous positions. They are lovers of sunshine 

 and may often be seen upon a leaf, witjb fully expanded 



