8 THE BOOK OF BRITISH BUTTERFLIES. 



out later than half-past four or five, though he will 

 doubtless always find a few individuals on the wing 

 almost from sunrise to sunset. 



In general the best spots for butterflies are clearings 

 in woods, or meadows and pathways by the side of them. 

 Some butterflies, such as the Purple Emperor, the White 

 Admiral, the Wood White, the Purple Hairstreak, and 

 many Fritillaries, are scarcely ever found elsewhere. 

 Several, among them being most of the Whites and 

 Vanessas, are friendly enough to visit us in our streets 

 and gardens. Many are common everywhere, others are 

 equally scarce, while some again are local, that is, only 

 to be found in particular spots, though often plentiful 

 enough there. A few haunt marshy places, some must 

 be sought for on heaths, others again prefer the chalk, 

 and one or two are found upon the mountains; in fact, 

 it would be hard to name many spots in a state of 

 nature and to which the sunshine can penetrate, where 

 butterflies of some kind are not to be found. 



In dull weather, or when butterflies have retired for 

 the night, they may often be found in their sleeping- 

 places, though it usually needs a sharp eye to detect 

 them there, for most, if not all, sle.ep mid surroundings 

 with which they harmonise so well that they are easily 

 passed over on a cursory glance. This is especially the 

 case with the Blues, the Small Copper, the Marbled 

 White, the Orange-tip, and the Vanessas. 



The only apparatus required for use in the field 

 are a net to catch the butterflies, and a box or boxes 

 of some kind to hold them when caught. 



The most convenient form of net is the ordinary ring- 

 net (Fig. i). The bag is made of gauze, either silk or 

 cotton. If the latter material be used, it must first be 

 well washed to remove the glazing that gives stiffness to 



