34 BRITISH BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS 



Hawk Moths are likewise diurnal in their habits. The 

 Clear-winged Sphinges of the genera Sphecia and Tro- 

 chilium are rarely seen on the wing, but may be 

 observed at rest on the trunks of trees, on flowers, or 

 on leaves. 



In the tribe of moths termed Bombycina, the Swifts 

 (Hepialus) fly at dusk; the Ghost Moth (PL humuli) 

 and the Golden Swift (H. Hectus) have a peculiar os- 

 cillating flight, keeping at one spot, as though attached 

 to an invisible pendulum. The other Swifts (H. lupu- 

 linus, velleda, sylvinus) fly with extreme rapidity, with 

 an irregular, mazy flight near the surf ace of the ground. 

 The Wood Leopard and the Goat Moth are rarely 

 noticed on the wing, but may be found at rest on the 

 trunks of trees and on palings. The Wood Leopard, 

 from its conspicuous contrast of colours, is very liable 

 to be picked up by small birds, and we often find on 

 the ground the wings of devoured specimens. 



The Pale Prominent (Pterostoma palpina) may be 

 noticed at times at rest on palings, and sometimes it 

 enters houses, attracted by the light. The Swallow Pro- 

 minent (Leiocampa dictsea) may be frequently observed 

 at rest on the trunks of willow-trees ; and in the first 

 half of May Lophopteryx carmelita may be occasionally 

 found on palings or trunks of trees. 



The various species of Footmen (Liihosidte) fly in the 

 dusk of evening, and may be sometimes met with in the 

 daytime by beating the branches of trees on which they 

 repose. The pretty Philea irrorella, when caught, drops 

 down in the net as though dead. 



In the handsome family of CTielonidtf, two, the 

 Clouded Buff (Euthemonia russula) and the Wood Tiger 

 (Nemeophila plantaginis), are complete day-fliers, and 



