PROTECTIVE DEVICES BY LYCAENID BUTTERFLIES. 231 
A lizard would in most instances approach the insect from a 
branch, eventually climbing out from the base of the leaf on which 
it had settled. A bird* would either catch a butterfly in flight, 
(unlikely in the case of the Lycaenids), or would make a quick 
_ peck at one which settled near to its perch. It does not appear — 
possible that a bird could make a sufficiently quiet approach to 
stalk a Lycaenid successfully. - 
As the result of a number of observations, I find that some: 
species of Lycaenids show a certain amount of discrimination in 
settling. They choose an exposed position rather than one among 
the leaves and usually the upper side of the leaf. The position is. 
generally near the centre of the leaf, and the head of the butter-- 
fly in perhaps 90% of cases is lower than the tail. The point of 
the average leaf being lower than the fixed end, it follows that the 
butterfly presents its protective apparatus to the end of the leaf 
which is attached to the branch. This appears to indicate that the 
dangers to be avoided come from the bush rather than from the air.. 
I have never seen a jungle lizard in the act of catching a. 
butterfly. However, the common Chi-chah of the houses (Hemi-. 
dactylus frenatus), although principally a night feeder, offers an 
opportunity for experiment. I have on several occasions hberated 
Lyeaenids in a room at night, but on account of the jolting re-. 
ceived on the way home or perhaps the absence of daylight, the. 
butterfly generally flutters to a wall and remains absolutely still,, 
without any rotation of the wings. Chi-chahs as a rule take no 
interest in an insect which they do not see in motion, and if the: 
butterfly is disturbed with a stick, the Chi-chahs usually take fright. 
and refuse to feed. 
In Penang, in January 1921, I liberated 17-Lycaenids. ‘There: 
were several other insects in the room, attracted by the hght and 
the Chi-chahs had already dined and were not very active. Three: 
of the butterflies were attacked. One was taken by the head and 
eaten. ‘T'wo were attacked from the tail, but in both cases the: 
snap missed the butterfly entirely and it escaped. It is difficult 
to make this experiment in Singapore, as suitable butterflies are: 
not very common. 
The proportion of Lycaenids showing this protective device, 
which are deficient of part of the hind wings, is relatively large, 
and in worn specimens which have been flying for some days, 
might be put as high as 10%. The broken portion generally re- 
sembles the rounded shape of a lizard’s mouth rather than the 
sharp bill of a bird, and it can be demonstrated with forceps that 
the wings will fracture where gripped, and not naturally with a 
rounded shape. 
It appears to me that the: Lycaenids showing this device are 
protecting themselves against lizards rather than against birds, 
and it would be interesting if observations on the subject could be 
collected. 
R. A. Soc., No. 85, 1922. 
