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in my collecting box, another butterfly of the same kind darted down at the one I held 

 and fluttered above it for a moment as if to entice it away. I was so surprised that no 

 attempt was made to capture the visitor until it had risen beyond reach. Expanding and 

 placing on a bush close by the almost lifeless butterfly which I had held in my fingers, 

 and partially concealing myself, I awaited the insect's return, nor was I disappointed or 

 obliged to wait long. I could catch an occasional glimpse through the bushes of my 

 intended victim ; nearer it came till, hovering for a moment above my decoy, it was easily 

 secured. This plan was followed during the rest of that day, and more or less since that 

 time, with gratifying results, having caught as many as 37 Papilio Turnus in a day, and 

 that, too, in a place like Eastern Mass., where they are, so far as my experience goes,, 

 not very common. 



While in Nevada, in the summer of 1887, this method was followed with good 

 success in the capture of Papilio Rutulus, Enrymedon and Daunus ; Argynnis Leto, 

 Nevadensis and Coronis, Limenitis Lorquini and others. I found a piece of bright 

 yellow paper, cut out to resemble P. Rutulus, proved almost as attractive as a butterfly of 

 that species, and even a yellow leaf which I picked up and placed in a conspicuous spot 

 answered the purpose very well once to enable me to secure a decoy. 



I find the best place to expose a decoy is in some sunny nook where an occasional 

 specimen of the species of which you are in search is seen, allowing the full rays of the 

 sun (provided your decoy is a butterfly) to strike on the expanded wings. It is usually 

 my custom to cut down the green bushes, except, perhaps, one in the centre of the open- 

 ing, and stripping the leaves from the tallest sprig or branch, place my decoy on the 

 point. The decoy may be a badly damaged specimen, one not fit to preserve. 



This method applies best to the larger and stronger flying species of butterflies, and 

 these are the ones the hunter has the greatest difficulty in procuring, especially if the coun- 

 try is rough and broken so that he is restricted in his movements by deep gullies, cliffs or 

 large loose rocks. Occasionally the hunter will have an enemy in the shape of a large 

 dragon fly, which will pounce on the coming prize just as as you are about to " scoop " it 

 in ; then away the two will go, the butterfly soaring and flapping often till almost out of 

 sight in the vain endeavor to rid itself of the enemy which has taken such a death-like 

 grip upon it, but this shark of the air is, in the end, generally victorious. 



In some countries, such as Australia and New Guinea, and I speak of these because 

 of personal knowledge, there are large and showy butterflies of very powerful flight 

 which are almost impossible to catch on the wing, not only being shy but high flyers, 

 and 1 know of no way in which they can be taken so readily as by the method above 

 described. I refer particularly just now to that large and magnificent blue butterfly 

 (Papilio Joesa) which in Northern Queensland may be seen alighting on or floating above 

 the tops of the forest trees, occasionally flashing in the sunlight like a star of unusual 

 brilliancy. It is a magnificent sight to a butterfly hunter, and one that will fill him with 

 enthusiasm, but one likely to be of great disappointment should he wait for it to come 

 within reach or settle near the ground where it could be taken with his net, for nine 

 times out of ten, when it takes MigKt, it will sail around and away over the tops of the 

 trees till lost from view, unless you have something to catch its eye and cause it to descend 

 from its elevated position. Now procure one of the same species and place it in a con- 

 spicuous place in the sunlight, conceal yourself near by, but be ready to strike at a 

 moment's notice, and await the result. Your decoy will most likely soon be seen (for it 

 is wonderful how quickly a butterfly will discern one of its own kind) and down will 

 come the longed-for prize to your delight and satisfaction, but you must sweep with your 

 net at just the right time or the opportunity is lost. But perhaps you will ask how is the 

 fiist specimen or decoy to be obtained 1 This is often a matter of considerable cliffic ally, 

 I was accustomed, when rambling in the forest of that country, to carry a gun, and 

 although when obtained by shooting they were generally in a rather dilapidated condi- 

 tion yet they served the purpose of a decoy very well. 



One thing which has always surprised me is the remarkable sight, and perhaps sense 

 of smell, which some insects seem to possess. Often while having a decoy exposed I 



