f THE BUTTERFLIES OF ABEKTILLEKY, MONMOUTHSHIRE. 309 



30th. The specimens at that date were getting rather passe; a few 

 examples were taken. This species is slow on the wing, and absurdly 

 easy to catch. An excitable collector could exterminate the species in 

 a couple of hours ; they have a curious habit of dropping into the 

 grass after a short flight if chased. Aglais urticae, Linn. — Very 

 common everywhere ; there appear to be several broods. At the 

 present time (October 2nd) there is a brood of half -grown larvae feeding- 

 on a patch of nettles within a few yards of my house. Vanessa io^ 

 Linn. — Common throughout the district ; first specimens taken on 

 August 9th, at Crumlin. This species does not appear to be so 

 common this year as it was last. Pyrameis atalanta, Linn. — Common 

 throughout the district ; first specimen taken on August 80th ; rather 

 irregular. Pyrameis cardui, Linn. — Scarce last year, but has been 

 common this year, but by no means abundant. Several specimens 

 were seen at Aberbecq, on June 5th and 6th, I took half-a-dozen, and 

 was greatly struck by the beautiful condition they were in ; two of 

 them were absolutely perfect, and it was hard to realise they were 

 hybernated specimens. [Probably emerged two or three days before in 

 North Africa. — Ed.] . The first specimen of the autumnal brood was 

 taken at Crumlin, on August 8th. Specimens were taken almost daily 

 from that date until September 2nd ; none have been seen since the 

 latter date. Pararye meyaera, Linn. — Not common ; two specimens 

 (both 2 s) only taken, one on the railway bank at Abertillery, on August 

 22nd, and the other at Crumlin, on August 28th. I kept a sharp 

 lookout for this species throughout August, but the above were the 

 only two specimens seen. Hipparclda semele, Linn. — Very local ; 

 I was very pleased to discover this species on July 26th, at Tri-Nant. 

 On that date, 30 specimens were taken in beautiful condition. As I 

 have never taken this species before, I devoted the whole of July 27th 

 to watching their habits. A few brief notes may be of interest. They 

 occurred in abundance on the top of an old " tip " (i.e., an old refuse 

 heap from a disused colliery), which had a number of stunted birch 

 trees growing here and there, together with a little heather and a few 

 brambles. They are very active insects, with a short, quick flight,, 

 frequently settling on the ground, where, unless one has marked the 

 exact spot, they become almost invisible. Only once did I see a. 

 specimen settle anywhere except on the ground, and on that occasion 

 it was on a birch leaf at a considerable height. When settled, the 

 foreAvings are partly dropped between the hindwings, the apical eye- 

 spot being always visible, unless the insect has been frightened, then 

 the forewings are completely concealed by the hindwings. I repeatedly 

 observed this, and several times frightened a specimen on purpose to 

 observe the eflect. If possible, they will nearly always rest on a 

 vertical surface, such as the side of a large stone. In that position 

 they are more difficult to see than ever. On dull days they rest on the 

 underside of birch leaves, close to the ground. Several specimens were 

 beaten out of such positions, and if not netted they went back under 

 the birches. They are very inquisitive insects. My handkerchief laid 

 on the ground, attracted several specimens. After a short inspection^ 

 they quickly made off again. As they are very active insects, and by 

 no means easy to catch, I took rather a mean advantage of this 

 curiosity of theirs. By placing large pieces of paper, my handkerchief^ 

 etc., on the ground, I netted a good series with very little exertion^ 

 Newman says that he never saw them settle on flowers or bask in the 



