BRITISH BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS 



above, the light greyish-brown being enriched with 

 prominent spots. During an evening saunter a number 

 of these butterflies may be discovered quietly resting on 

 grass and other herbage. They do not like windy 

 weather, and take shelter at such times until the condi- 

 tions are more congenial for flight. The Blues, of which 

 this is one, are proverbial fighters, and their tattered 

 wings testify as to the combats in which they engage. 



Common Blue. — {Lyccena teams.) Where there is a 

 plentiful supply of the pretty bird's-foot trefoil, or the 

 pink blossoms of the pungent rest-harrow, search may 

 be made for this species. It has a long flight-season 

 extending from May to September, and the egg is laid on 

 one of the two plants mentioned. At times, however, it 

 appears on other wildlings. It is whitish-green, and 

 bears a white polish. The green larva has a covering of 

 brownish hairs, both short and long, with a dark line 

 down the centre, and a black glossy head. The green 

 pupa is shaded with bulT. The blue colour of the male is 

 well-known, and although both sexes are somewhat 

 similar on the under sides, the female is brown above, 

 with black, orange, and white on the outer margins. 

 The light under surface, with its profuse array of spots 

 and prominent veins, is very attractive, and when seen 

 resting with the wings closed (a difficult proposition 

 under certain conditions), the appeal made to the lover 

 of beauty is not likely to be in vain. 



Chalk-Hill Blue. — (Lyccena corydon.) Where there are 

 heathy chalk downs, cHfTs, and similar places, one may 

 expect to locate this pretty species. It is not so well 



distributed as L. icarus, but is much more familiar than 



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