THE GOSSAMER-WINGED BUTTERFLIES 



began with strenuous effort to have only clover 

 and grass on ours, indefatigable Nature planted 

 all things there as soon as our backs were turned. 

 After a time we grew in grace and came to love 

 the dandelions and dock, orchard grass, and white 

 daisies ; and more than all do we appreciate the 

 rosy bloom which sorrel lends to our posses- 

 sions, especially, because of it, a pair of American 

 coppers live with us. In early summer they 

 are always there, these little fractions of red 

 sunshine, dancing about or wrestling in the air 

 with each other and chasing off intruders. Once 

 we saw them attack a tiger swallow-tail and drive 

 him off the premises ; and once we saw them 

 chase a huge bulldog with the same confidence 

 and aplomb. It is always a joy to us to watch 

 one alight on a flower, it has such an alert air 

 while it orients itself by turning around and 

 around like a dog before he lies down. It is 

 especially fond of the blossoms of white clover, 

 and unless engaged in a fight it usually flies rather 

 low. When a pair begins housekeeping they se- 

 lect some site and never stray far from it during 

 the entire season. The caterpillar is shaped like a 

 spindle cut in halves lengthwise ; it is sorrel color, 

 and so is protected. The chrysalis is hidden be- 

 neath sticks and stones. The species occurs in 



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