238 THE BOOK OF THE OPEN AIR 



Britain as the other species mentioned turn to feast again on the nectar of the 



are known to do. In North America blossom which is so attractive to them, 



this butterfly, there known as the Although when on the wing these 



mourning cloak, is very common. In butterflies appear to be all alike, dingy 



Europe it seems to be most at home in brown and uninteresting, this method 



Scandinavia and Germany, but it of observation will enable us to note 



occurs in many other countries, al- that there is much diversity among 



though its appearance in some parts them. One or two are now seen to be 



of the continent is almost as uncertain almost black in colour and velvety in 



as in our own islands. If eggs are texture. These are males, and have 



obtained from abroad the butterflies just recently emerged from the chry- 



can be reared quite easily. The cater- salis. The female of this butterfly are 



pillars, which live together in com- always more highly adorned with 



panics, will eat the foliage of various orange, and in some of them this colour 



willows, poplars, and the birch. The is spread over a large portion of the 



specimens that come to us generally wings. In some respects the very 



arrive in the autumn, and as it is the fresh male meadow browns are similar 



habit of this species to pass the winter to the ringlet, which is sometimes 



as a butterfly and to pair and lay eggs almost as numerous on the bramble- 



in the following spring, the chance of blossoms. The former butterfly may 



these things taking place in this coun- however be readily distinguished by 



try are very small. There is very the orange ring around the white-eyed 



little doubt that specimens do occa- black spot at the tip of the forewing. 



sionally hibernate here, but these are Presently the butterflies close their 



pretty sure to fall to the net of some wings over their backs, and then the 



collector when they come forth in the undersides are exposed to view. We 



spring. Even if they escaped capture now see that the ringlet has the wings 



the odds would be against the sexes ornamented with eight yellowish ringed 



meeting with each other. black spots, and it is from these 



The brambles alongside the quiet markings that the insect receives its 



lanes are in full flower, and as we pass name. 



quite a cloud of meadow brown butter- Leaving the lane, a pathway is taken 



flies fly up and flutter away. Stand which leads through cornfields to the 



perfectly still awhile and they will re- downs. Having passed the fields we 



