BUTTERFLIES OF MT. HOOD 161 



Only this morning, the whole flock of chickens 

 in the hen-yard started suddenly on the wild flap 

 to see which would beat to the back fence, and 

 wound up at the "tape" in a free fight, two of 

 the cockerels tearing the feathers from each other 

 in a desperate set-to. 



You have seen puppies fall out in the same 

 human fashion, and kittens also, and other folk 

 as well. I have seen a game of wood tag among 

 friendly gray squirrels come to a finish in a free 

 fight. As the crows pass over during the winter 

 afternoon you will notice their play, — racing 

 each other through the air, diving, swooping, 

 cawing in their fun, when, suddenly, some one's 

 temper snaps, and there is a general mix-up in 

 the air. I watched the butterflies for such evi- 

 dences of temper and individuality, but saw no- 

 thing like recognition of each other among them, 

 no communication of any sort, no initiative ex- 

 cept as one would turn aside from his play to 

 light for a sip of snow or a moment of rest in 

 the sun. Yet I have seen angry butterflies, one 

 mourning-cloak [Vanessa antiopd) putting a whole 

 stumpful to flight by dashing in among them. 

 Here on the peak there must have been some 



