CHKYSALIS HUNTING 49 



Hedge-rows as a rule may be left alone, as neither those nor trees 

 standing in them are worth the trouble of examination. 



The best sides of the trees on which to work are those facing the 

 North and East, as the caterpillars like to hide away from the sun and 

 heat, and prefer a shady and fairly damp locality to a very dry and 

 sunny one. 



Pupae are generally found on the north side of trees if the ground 

 has been much trodden on by cattle, as usually the soil is much softer 

 and very friable in such places. 



The trees most to be sought are the Oak, Elm, Ash, Wych-Elm 

 and Alder, although you may dig round all kinds with more or less- 

 success. Some localities are much better than others, of course, but 

 wet and clayey soil must be avoided. 



Butterflies will be found " spun up " on grass stems, or their food 

 plants, and under copings of walls or in thatch. 



Hawks, Bombyces, Noctuae, and some Prominents are to be found 

 at the roots of trees. 



Geometers also, but many of these must be looked for in crevices 

 of bark or twigs, under leaves, or on their food plants. 



Pugs are mostly searched for under the bark of Hawthorn, Oak, 

 Birch, Alder and Wild Apple. 



METHODS 



Upon finding a favourable tree in good position, with plenty of 

 corners formed by roots, start working about six or eight inches from 

 the bole of the tree. Push the trowel (gently) into the ground, 

 carefully turn up the sod or earth, and tap it (over the kneeling 

 cloth), then pull it to pieces, when the pupae, if any are there, will 

 invariably fall out ; these you should carefully put into the tin box 

 with the moss. 



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