THE SMALL SKIPPER 35 



PLATE XVII 

 THE SMALL SKIPPER (4) 



This queer little butterfly, which is about half 

 the size of the " large skipper," is very nearly as 

 common. But it only makes its appearance once 

 in the year instead of twice, generally about the 

 middle of July. The best places in which to 

 look for it are grassy banks by the sides of 

 lanes and open places in woods. But it is so 

 small that unless you look very carefully you 

 will most likely pass it by. The male butterfly 

 is not quite like the female, for he has a thin 

 black line running along the middle of his front 

 wings. 



This butterfly lays its eggs on different kinds 

 of grass, and when they hatch, the little cater- 

 pillars feed for a few weeks, and then find their 

 way into some snug retreat, in which they sleep 

 all through the autumn and winter. Early in 

 the spring they come out from their hiding- 

 places and begin to feed again ; and by about 

 the beginning of June they are ready to turn 

 into chrysalids. If ever you should happen to 

 find them you may know them at once, for they 

 are green in colour, with six white stripes running 

 all the way along their bodies. And besides 

 this they are quite fat in the middle, and quite 

 thin at the head and the tail. 



