142 LEPIDOPTERA INDICA. 



insect at Kotgarli in tte clutches of a large green Praying Mantis, subsequently I 

 took several specimens. For so large an insect, it lias not a very powerful fliglit, 

 and is easy to capture " {id. Ind. Agriculturist, 18S0). 



Tn Nortli-Westeru India, Col. J. W. Yerbury took it at " Campbellpore, in 

 July, 1886 ; uncommon, none being taken in 1885, and only one male and two 

 females up to 1886 " (Ann. Nat. Hist. 1888, 142). Mr. W. Dolierty obtained it in 

 the " Kumaon Tarai, 1000 feet elevation, and in the forests of the Kali Valley, 

 2000 to 4000 ft." (J. As. Soc. Bang. 1886, 123). The Eev. J. H. Hocking records 

 Bolina from the " Hot Valleys, Kangra ; taken ia flower gardens from May to 

 September," and Jacintha from the Hills, June to September, settling upon Oak 

 {Q. incana); never found in company with preceding {Bolina)" (P. Z. S. 1882, 

 241). Capt. A, M. Lang found it at " Simla, Oudh and Umballa. Frequents woods 

 and orchards, affecting the shade of the trees" (MS. Notes, 1864). " This is one of 

 the most gorgeous of the many living gems this laud of India produces. It is a 

 fairly large butterfly, but there are two seasonal forms — the smaller appearing, in 

 the Central Provinces, after the hot weather and the beginning of the rains, the 

 laro-er form at the end of the rains. The sight of this beautiful creature, as it opens 

 and closes its wings while basking in the sun, affords a brilliant spectacle, especially, 

 as is very often the case, when there are several seated within reasonable distance 

 of one another. The male displays itself to the female in a striking manner. The 

 latter, while flying from one place of concealment to another — for it is a shy 

 creature as compared to the male — is usually pursued by one or two males who fly 

 a foot or so below her, quivering their wings to the full extent of their powers. 

 This is evidently done with the object of displaying their loveliness to the greatest 

 advantage" (J. A. Betham, J. Bombay N. H. Soc. 1890, 281). Capt. H. B. 

 Hellard obtained it in the " Ramgurh District, Hazaribagh, in November and 

 December" (MS. Notes). Colonel C. Swinhoe obtained " two specimens at Karachi 

 in July, 1882. Was not observed throughout 1879-80 " (P. Z. S. 1884, 505). 

 " Common everywhere in Bombay and the Dekkan all the year round " [id. P. Z. S. 

 1885, 129). " The smaller form {Buliiia) taken in Mhow, July, Neemuck in November, 

 Assirghur, October, and the larger form {Avia) in Mhow, September and October, 

 Neemuck, September to November, in great plenty " {id. P. Z. S. 1886, 425). " This 

 is a common enough butterfly in all the moister regions of the Bombay Presidency 

 but nowhere have we found it in such abundance as in Kanara. It also appears to 

 vary more here than elsewhere, and the varieties do not depend much upon season. 

 It is true that at the beginning of the monsoon all the males are very small, not 

 larger than Misippus, with the spots on the upperside more white than blue, and 

 with a distinct broad white fascia on the underside ; but two months later these 

 jliay be found side by side with the most splendid specimens of the Avia form and 



