FAVOURITE PERCHES. 47 



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 Red 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 a sunny opening, 

 without finding, besides a store of other insects, one 

 or both of these grand butterflies enthroned on the 

 ample purplish flower-heads, and fanning their gorgeous 

 wings, after the custom of their genus, then launching 

 into the air, and, after a few circling evolutions in that 

 element, returning to the self-same flower-heads, their 

 chosen seats. 



Both of these flies are easily captured when in this 

 position, as they allow a near approach, and can be 

 without hindrance swept off by a rapid side-stroke of 

 the net. 



The glorious Purple Emperor is celebrated for his 

 predilection for a throne on the oak, though some other 

 lofty trees, such as the ash, are occasionally honoured 

 by the imperial presence ; but his habits and locale will 

 be referred to more particularly hereafter. 



That lovely butterfly, the Silver-washed Fritillary, 

 has a penchant for settling on the bramble, which jus- 



