THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 27 



which are exhibited on the table to-night) is accounted a rarity 

 by nearly if not quite all collectors, and being a rapid flyer, and 

 only to be found in the mountainous parts of Gippsland, the 

 opportunities of studying its habits are of comparatively rare 

 occurrence. In January last I visited Sassafras Gully, in the 

 Dandenong Ranges, and while there was fortunate enough to see 

 numbers flying about in their native wilds. The butterflies hover 

 around the flowers of the common dandelion, which appears to be 

 the food-plant of the caterpillars, and while extracting the sweets 

 of the flower, the wings of the insect are kept fluttering up and 

 down in a state of perpetual motion. Whether this is bimply to 

 balance themselves, or is a protection against the attacks of birds, 

 is a debatable question. One habit struck me as being very 

 peculiar. While walking along the edge of a mountain stream I 

 was surprised to see one of these butterflies alight close to the 

 water, into which it backed till the whole of the body and the 

 lower part of the hind wings were submerged, the two forelegs 

 alone retaining their hold of the dry land. After remaining in this 

 position for something like half a minute it flew away, apparently 

 refreshed. During the moining I noticed quite a number doing 

 the same thing. In one instance no less than four were to be seen 

 within a space of not more than three yards, and to make sure 

 that I was not deceived I captured several as they rose from the 

 water, and found in each case the body and lower edge of the 

 hind wings quite wet. While in the water the fluttering of the 

 wings, so noticeable at other times, was suspended, and so intent 

 were the butterflies in the enjoyment of their cold bath that they 

 would hardly move, even when actually touched by the net. 

 Apparently the heat of the weather drove them down to the water, 

 as immediately they emerged they flew up again to the hillsides. 

 I have often noticed butterflies of the Nymphalidm family settling 

 near the pools, and apparently imbibing the moisture from the 

 damp sand round the edges, but never before have I seen butter- 

 flies enter the water. Possibly it may be a peculiar habit of this 

 particular species or genus. Numbers of the white butterfly, 

 Pieris harpaiyce, were flying about at the same time, but I noticed 

 none alight near the water. — Geo. Lyell, Jun., South Melbourne. 



Australian Birds' Nists and Eggs. — The Trustees of the 

 Australian Museum, Sydney, have now nearly ready for publica- 

 tion a work under the above title, by Mr. A. J. North, F.L.S., an 

 assistant at the Museum, and a member of the Field Naturalists' 

 Club of Victoria. The work will contain 21 plates, and the 

 price will be twelve shillings and sixpence. We believe copies 

 with coloured plates may be obtained at an extra cost of about 

 £2, but it is necessary to communicate with the Museum 

 authorities regarding them. 



