36 CHELTENHAM COLLEGE NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. 
When a bird pursues a butterfly it generally approaches from 
behind, and usually misses at the first attempt, owing to the uncertain 
flight of its prey. Perhaps the butterfly escapes untouched, but more 
often the bird just succeeds in touching the butterfly, and takes qa 
piece out of or tears the hind wings at the back. This does not affect 
the flight, but if a piece were to be taken out of the front part of the 
wings it would render the butterfly helpless, as the veins and whole 
framework of the wings would be broken. Therefore it is manifestly 
to the butterfly’s advantage to be pursued from behind. But this is 
more like one of Nature’s secrets in protection, for we cannot suppose 
that butterflies formerly flew backward, and have learnt from experi- 
ence to fly forward. The bird, ignorant of the most vital part of its 
prey’s means of escape, probably endeavours to take its prey by 
surprise from behind, so as not to be seen. 
The habit of many beetles and spiders in shamming death often 
preserves them from their fues, who would immediately devour them 
if they shewed signs of life. 
Many spiders when hanging by a thread, if disturbed straighten 
out the six front legs close together to a point in front of the head, 
while of the two hind legs, one holds the thread, and the other is 
doubled up close to the body. 
Butterflies and moths settle on things which closely resemble their 
wings, as: 
Peppered Moth (Amphidasis betularia) on lichen on a lime tree, 
The Autumn Thorn (Ennomos angularia) on yellowish bricks. 
Willow Beauties (Boarmia rhomboidaria) on old wood. 
Blues with their wings folded may sometimes:be found resting in 
the evening on plaintain heads (Plantago lanceolata). 
Orange Tip (Euchloe cordamines) settles for the evening on the 
flowers of white Umbelliferz. 
The Grey Dagger (Acronycta psi) on ash bark. 
Carpet Moths on mortar. 
Scorch Wing (Eurymene dolobraria) on loose stones. 
The Yellow Underwing (Tryphena pronuba) generally rests in 
thick foliage, and rises immediately when disturbed, with a 
strong rapid flight, like a yellow leaf driven rapidly by the 
wind, rising suddenly and then slowly descending lost to sight 
in the thickest shelter it can find. Often I have picked up 
dead leaves in summer, and carrying them in both hands, 
suddenly a yellow underwing has darted out and rapidly 
vanished near the ground, 
