INSECT LIFE 165 



without result ? But I am not persuaded that other 

 incentive, other motive, may not be working with the 

 orange tip; and that a sheer ecstasy of exercise on 

 these delicious days, as well as the passion for a 

 mate, may not move the butterfly. 



In June, when the pearl-bordered fritillaries are out 

 in numbers, it is a pretty thing to see their frequent 

 courtships in the coppices among bugle flowers and 

 speedwell. Watching orange tip butterflies and the 

 common blues, one sees courtship almost exactly 

 similar. An orange tip male will pursue the plain 

 white lady of his possible choice possible only, for 

 quite likely he will jilt her after all. Perhaps the 

 lady will have nothing to do with him, dodges, shakes 

 him off. But more often I have noticed her satisfied 

 with him as her suitor. First she may appear coy, but 

 soon she ceases to fly ; she settles on the ground ; he 

 settles near her. So, in the sun for there must be 

 sun, I think, for orange tip courtship they sit. One 

 feels sure it is a match. But no ! Two minutes or 

 less, and he suddenly rises, forgets all about her, is off 

 seeking a new lady, or new honey blossoms, or what- 

 ever it is he does seek on these errands up and down 

 the fields and hedge sides. She discovers in a few 

 seconds that she has been deserted, and is up and 

 away too. Often I have seen this curious little 

 play among orange tips, and once or twice (at 

 Brockenhurst in the New Forest) among common 

 blue butterflies. I am quite sure that it is the 



