SUGGESTIONS FOR DECOYING BUTTERFLIES. ^OO 



nearly as possible just outside the axis of the stick B B, as shown 

 at G. Now pass the free end of the cord H over the pulley G, 

 bring it under and fasten it to the fixed ring E, then take the 

 cord H and spring K back the full length, keeping them parallel 

 with the stick B, but without stretching, and peg down the sail 

 eyelet with the wire La,- when both sides have been thus pre- 

 pared, the stick A may be steadily made to describe a semi-circle 

 round C until, in the direction of the arrow and dotted line R, it 

 reaches the ground, here it will probably have to be pegged down 

 with a bent wire in the case of a two foot net, but much 

 depends on the nature of the ground. With a four foot net it is 

 generally necessary to give it a start with a lever represented at 

 P, the dotted lines P« showing the action of the same ; with the 

 wire it is a good plan to whip on a ring such as used for the 

 end of the top joint of a fishing-rod, and attach the pulling cord 

 to this. Having fixed the decoy five or six inches in front of the 

 set net, perhaps the operator would like to stick an artificial 

 flower, mounted on wire and of the colour of the species sought, 

 in front of the decoy, or, in the case of Apatura, possibly a dead 

 animal or reptile, though to my fancy a piece of broken looking- 

 glass would be best for the purpose ; this might first be used as 

 a heliograph to throw a few Morse dots and dashes on to his 

 Majesty's august person in order to attract his attention, and 

 then laid down before his effigy as a fair imitation of water, and 

 an invitation "to liquor." 



Then having retired to the place of concealment with the two 

 cords, pull remittingly at the thin one to work the decoy, and 

 bide your time. Should the species wanted catch sight of the 

 bait, it will probably make for it, and hover over it for a few 

 moments. Now is your chance, let fly with the thick cord, hurry 

 up, don't be excited, secure the prize, reset the net, and when 

 you get home, write off to the 'Entomologist,' and tell us all 

 about it. 



I have satisfied myself that the modus operandi is quite 

 practicable, that the apparatus will work effectively, and that 

 butterflies will " tumble into it " ; my apparatus was set on our 

 grass plot, and our first attempt with a white paper decoy met 

 with no success to speak of ; but I recollected that there were 

 the remains of a white butterfly captured last year by one of my 

 grandchildren ; I managed to find these, pasted them on to the 

 decoy frame, and, being rather out of spirits with my previous 

 failure, gave the cords to my attendant to work ; in less than a 

 minute he missed a splendid chance — had time enough to pull 

 the cord half a dozen times, but left it till too late. And so I 

 reset the trap, and took up the reins myself, and in less than 

 another minute — Swish, whack ! and mechanical decoying was a 

 fait accompli so far as P. rapes was concerned. I did set the trap 

 again, but before I could get to my hiding-place our kitten came 



