134 



THE SPINY ELM CATERPILLAR 



They are especially likely to be seen along the borders of 

 woods or in open glades. At this time they love the sun- 

 shine, and will settle in a sunny place to bask in it. 



On a spring-like day early in xsTovember (the eighth) I came 

 across one of these butterflies basking in the sunshine upon 

 the ties of a railway track. It rested with its wings wide 

 open. On being disturbed it would fly a short distance 

 and then alight, and I was interested to notice that after 

 alighting it would always turn about until the hind end of its 



Fig. 49. Butterfly hin,<;ing from branch in hibernating position. 



'body pointed in the direction of the sun, so that the sun's 

 rays struck its wings and body nearly at right angles. I 

 repeatedly observed this habit of getting into the position 

 in which the most benefit from the sunshine was received, and 

 it is of interest as showing the extreme delicacy of perception 

 toward the warmth of sunshine which these creatures possess. 

 During the colder part of the year in bright weather when 

 ^these butterflies are most often abroad, they commonly hold 

 'their wings open when they alight, but during the warmer 

 summer days they are more likely to rest with the wings 

 •closed. 



