l66 THE BUTTERFLIES OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



except, perhaps, the Shetland Isles. There appears to be only 

 one flight in the north of Scotland and Ireland, and this occurs 

 in June and July. In England there are two broods, and in 

 some years probably three in the southern counties. It maybe 

 | seen on the wing, in greater or lesser numbers, all through the 

 season from May to September. 



Abroad, the range extends over the whole of Europe to 

 North Africa, and through Western and Northern Asia to 

 Amurland and China. 



The Common Blue, as well as the Chalk Hill and the Adonis 

 Blues, are to be found, often commonly and sometimes in large 

 numbers, in their favourite haunts. Each of them is subject to 

 a considerable range of variation on the under side, and this 

 seems to be of a similar character in all. Very striking 

 aberrations are, perhaps, not often obtained, but still many 

 modifications are to be found, and the possibility of a really 

 good thing turning up, induces one to give attention to the 

 business of overhauling these butterflies. A very good method 

 of conducting this kind of work is to first ascertain the places 

 where they chiefly congregate, and then to visit there on 

 dull days or late in the afternoon, when the butterflies are 

 asleep or, at all events, resting. They can then be easily 

 examined as they sit on the long grass stems, etc. (Plate 27), 

 but only the under sides can be viewed in this way. So to 

 avoid passing over a good upper-side variety, it will be needful 

 to take each specimen between the finger and thumb of the 

 right hand, seizing the closed wings gently, but firmly, near 

 their base, and then quickly secure the thorax from underneath 

 with thumb and index finger of the left hand, when the upper 

 as well as the under side becomes available for inspection. 

 There is no reason whatever to damage the insects in any way, 

 and those that are not required may be set free again none the 

 worse for their short detention. Work against the wind, and to 

 avoid a second interview, turn rejected specimens to the rear. 



