210 FACULTIES OF BIRDS. 



nothing, we conceive, being more interesting- than, 

 comparisons between animals of different species, 

 with reference to similar circumstances. One of 

 the most remarkable circumstances, then, with regard 

 to this in insects, is the early appearance of some 

 species. Although few insects are seen during cold 

 weather, yet on tine days some are always stirring ; 

 but it is much less wonderful to see the larger butter- 

 flies (Vanessa Urtica, Gonepteryx Rhamni, fyc.) 

 braving the cold, inasmuch as their bodies and wings 

 are warmly clothed with down and feathers, than some 

 of the more delicate moths (Tortricidte ; Tineadce), 

 which appear to be less comfortably clothed. The 

 common hive-bees, when tempted by a glimpse of 

 sunshine to leave their hive, frequently perish of 

 cold before they can effect their return ; though they 

 also have a tolerably thick coat of hair for their 

 defence. This early appearance of bees, however, 

 as well as of some butterflies, may be considered 

 as accidental, rather than according to the usual 

 order of things ; but there are several insects whose 

 regular time of appearance is fixed by nature in the 

 first months of the year, probably for the purpose of 

 supplying a scanty meal to such of the soft-billed 

 birds as are permanent residents, the berries on 

 which they have in part subsisted being now useless 

 or exhausted. Amongst these we may reckon the 

 small egger-moth (Eriogaster lansstris), which is 

 disclosed towards the end of February, having lain 

 from the preceding July in a pupa case, similar to 

 plaster of Paris in consistence and appearance. The 

 inoth itself is but of middle size, and is pretty closely 

 covered, particularly on the body, with hair. Its 

 inconspicuous chocolate brown colour might furnish 

 the advocates for concealment in respect of colour 

 with a very good illustration. 



The little gnat (Trichocera hiemalis, MEIGEN), 



