- 
170 Mr. R. Trimen on Papilio Cenea in Natal. 
presenting the broad, black, hind-marginal border 
(irregularly dentate interiorly) of the fore wings and the 
continuous black discal bar of the hind wings, and the 
female having the spots of the fore wings white (except 
the largest one, which is faintly tinged with yellow). 
Colonel Bowker writes that, on the day mentioned, 
this remarkable Papilio was very numerous in the park 
at D’Urban, and that he saw all the three marked forms 
of the female, as well as some intermediate variations. 
He observes :—‘‘ I watched them for some little time, 
and at length saw a pair in copula rise out of the weeds 
and fly slowly along, settling every now and then at 
short distances. I observed this couple very narrowly, 
and noticed that the male (Merope) settled uppermost, 
and in flight carried the female (Cenea), the latter 
keeping her wings closed. Though I witnessed several 
other cases of very serious flirtation between the sexes, 
I had to be satisfied with this single instance of a clear 
and unquestionable match; and it was really with much 
satisfaction that [ put my net over the pair.” 
In a subsequent letter, dated March 10th, Colonel 
Bowker says :—‘‘ Both sexes of P. Cenea are common 
about D’Urban now, and I have been watching their 
habits. The female settles in some quiet secluded 
hollow among the weeds and undergrowth, and will 
remain there for hours; the male meanwhile taking 
long circles on the wing (sometimes extending to 100 
yards from the spot), but always returning, and, in 
passing, making two or three dips with half-closed 
wings towards the female, whom he sometimes even 
touches. On the approach of the male in this manner 
the female opens her wings and keeps up a fluttering 
motion, until the male is off for another round, and 
afterwards returns to renew the acquaintance. I noticed 
that the same male with a broken wing returned many 
times to the female I was watching.” 
These observations quite agree with those published 
by Mr. Weale in the paper above mentioned, and also 
with what I have myself noticed in various parts of 
South Africa; but only on one occasion was I favoured 
with a view of the male in actual pursuit of a female, 
while Mr. Weale mentions that he had witnessed this 
several times, and once saw no fewer than four males 
busily courting the same female. 
