Dr HanJcin, The soaring flight of dragon-flies 461 



to be again elevated above the level of the thorax. Then, later 

 in the afternoon as the sun gets weaker, the gliding is interrupted 

 by periods of flapping of the hind wings. The amount of flapping 

 gradually increases till, towards twilight, the dragon-flies descend 

 to within a few inches of the ground in search of prey. They are 

 then in fast jolting flight caused by flapping of all four wings. 



Fig. 1. Dragon-fly in flap-gliding flight seen from the side and below. The hind 



' legs are°paraUel with the abdomen. The latter is horizontal. 

 Fig. 2. Dragon-fly in slow speed soaring flight seen from the side. The abdomen is 



elevated above the level of the thorax. 

 Fi". 3. Dragon-fly in soaring flight with hind legs and abdomen hanging down. 



