FAVOURITE PERCHES. 35 



it was only a Corn on Blue, so precisely similar did it 

 look when flying. 



As to the manipulation of the net, it will be better 

 to leave the young collector to find that out for himself; 

 which, if he has the use of his hands, he will quickly 

 do when he gets into the field He will soon perceive 

 that with most of the swifter butterflies, it is of no use 

 to make a rush at them. A surprise answers better 

 than a charge ; for they easily take alarm at open 

 violence, and then go off straight ahead at a pace that 

 renders pursuit, over bad ground especially, most 

 trying, if not hopeless work. So the " suaviter in modo" 

 principle is best here as elsewhere : gently follow up 

 and watch your butterfly till he pauses over or settles 

 upon a flower, or whatever it may be ; then, with 

 caution, you can generally come within striking dis- 

 tance without giving alarm, and one vigorous, well- 

 aimed stroke usually settles the matter ; if, after that, 

 he is outside of your net instead of in, you will find it a 

 difficult matter to get another chance, at least, with most 

 of the larger and strong-flying kinds. But there is much 

 diversity of disposition among these creatures, and some 

 are unscared by repeated attacks. These points of cha- 

 racter the collector will soon learn when he has been 

 among these lively little people for a season. 



The different species have also their own favourite 

 positions, on which they delight to perch. 



Thus the Clouded Yellow loves the low flowers o 

 the railway-bank and the down ; often seen toying with 

 a breeze-rocked flower as yellow-coated as himself, as 

 though he had mistaken it, in its fluttering, for one of 

 his mates. 



Then the Peacock and Eed Admiral are attached to 

 several plants of the composite order, such as the 

 thistles, teazle, and above all (as far as I have observed), 

 to that fine, stalwart plant that frequently abounds in 

 thickets, &c., and known as Hemp Agrimony (Eupato 

 rium cannabinum). I seldom, at the proper season, 

 visit a clump of this growing in * sunny opening, 

 D 2 



