THE BUTTEUFLIES OF THE CEKTHAL PROVINCES. 

 By J. A. Betham. 

 Part VI. 

 [Concluded from Vol. VI., page 331.) 



FAMILY v., HESPERIID^, 



We now come to the family known scientifically as the Hesperudcv. 

 They are commonly called "Skippers," the name being given them 

 evidently because of their jerky method of flight. They are gene- 

 rally rather small butterflies of dingy colours, and are sometimes 

 crepuscular in their habits ; many of them are found resting in dark, 

 secluded spots during the day. These are more active towards the 

 evening and in the early morning when they issue forth to sip the 

 nectar of flowers. During the day, if disturbed, they do not, as a rule, 

 fly far ; but after a few turns in the air settle again ; most of the 

 species, however, fly about in the bright sunshine. Their flight is 

 extremely rapid and it is very difficult to follow their movements. 

 Some of them rest with their wings outspread ; but most of them fold 

 their wings upright over their backs when resting, while a few rest 

 with the f orewing's raised and the hindwings flat or nearly so. Some 

 rest on the ground and on stones, others on the upper surface, and 

 others again on the under surface of leaves ; these latter nearly 

 always with wide outspread wings. The number which will be 

 found after the specific name of each butterfly is that given in 

 Hesperiidoi Indices by Lieut. E. Y, Watson, M.S.C., in which book 

 they are fully described. 



Badamia e.rclamaUonis, Fabricius { 1 ) . This is a plain brown butter- 

 fly with long narrow wings, which are paler on the underside. It 

 has three transparent yellowish spots on the forewing. The body is 

 dark brown with pale bands to the abdomen. This butterfly flies 

 very fast and settles with wings upright on the undersides of leaves, 

 and is often crepuscular ia its habits. 



Bibasis sena, Moore (17). I have only one specimen of this handsome 

 " Skipper " taken some years ago at Pachmarhi. It is chiefly remark- 

 able from the wings being bordered with red. The underside of the 

 hindwing has a conspicuous white band crossing it transversely. 



