THE SKIPPERS. 411 



hold their wings only partially erect, and never pressed closely 

 together, as is the case with the previously-mentioned Butter- 

 flies. They are plentiful in country lanes, and are often 

 taken in the net when the stroke is made at other insects, 

 their vague and almost jerking flight carrying them into it. 



The pupae of these insects resemble those of several moths 

 in the manner in which they are protected dming their help- 

 less state of existence, ^^'hen the larva is full-fed, it spins a 

 cocoon among the leaves of its food-plant, and in that silken 

 cell awaits its change into the perfect condition. 



The species which is represented on Woodcut XLIII. Fig. 4, 

 is the Chequered Skipper (^Hesperia paniscus). The colour 

 of its wings is dark brown, upon which are a number of yellow 

 spots, arranged as shown in the illustration. The antennae are 

 bright yellow beneath, and banded with black and yellow above. 

 It is rather a local species, and is found chiefly in the Midland 

 counties. It appears in the beginning of summer. 



A MORE common species, the Gtrizzled Skipper {Hesperia 

 incdvcB or alveolus) is shown on Woodcut XLIII. Fig 5. The 

 wings are nearly black, sprinkled with white spots, as shown in 

 the illustration. The antennae are white, ringed with black. 

 There are, however, several varieties of colouring, one of which 

 is so constant that the insects have been considered to form a 

 different species, under the name of Scarce Grizzled Skipper. 



The larva of this species feeds on the common bramble, and 

 draws together the edges of the leaves, so as to form a tem- 

 porary habitation. Its colour is brownish green, with a few 

 dark stripes, and the pupa is greyish white, spotted with black. 

 The perfect insect appears at the beginning of summer. 



