NYMPHALID.E. 245 



and I liave had many sent me from Para, Brazil. It inhabits open 

 country near forests, and is often seen with other bnttei'flies at rest 

 on the muddy banks of streams. 



A very interesting as well as exceedingly^ beautiful group of but- 

 terflies is comprised in the genus Ageroriia. These are inliabitants 

 of Central and Soutli America and the two species included in our 

 fauna must be regarded as stragglers from lands farther south. The 

 insects belonging to this group are of good size and are richly 

 colored with spots and irregular lines, various sliades of blue, brown 

 and light gra}^ predominating in some species. One of the most 



Ageronia feroiia. 



beautiful is an intense blue black with spots of light blue above and 

 red spots beneath. Another has a very pleasing pattern of blue 

 spots and lines on a black ground above, while beneath a large part 

 of the surface is bright red. These butterflies are frequently seen in 

 the neighborhood of dwellings among scattered trees, and invariably 

 alight on their trunks head downwards, with the wings spread wide 

 open. They are exceedingly pugnacious, engaging in fierce battles 

 with one another, and driving away other butterflies who may 

 venture near their chosen retreat. Most curious to relate, they make 

 while on the wing a snapping or clicking noise with their wings, 

 which may be heard at a distance of two or three rods. They are 



