HABITS OE BUTTERFLIES. 



77 



The majority of butterflies settle upon foliage and on 

 flowers, holding their wings erect and folded together, 

 though early in the morning, or when newly emerged 

 from the chrysalis, they often expand them to the sun. 

 Many, however, have special stations and attitudes. 

 Some settle always on tree-tranks, usually with the wings 

 erect, but the Ageronias expand them and always rest 

 with the head downwards. Many Nymphalidse prefer 

 resting on the top of a stick ; others choose bushes with 

 dead leaves ; others settle on rocks or sand or in dry 

 forest paths. Pieces of decaying animal' or vegetable 

 matter are very attractive to certain species, and if 

 disturbed they will sometimes return to the same spot 

 day after day. Some Hesperidae, as well as species of 

 the genera Cyrestis and Symmachia, and some others, 

 rest on the ground with their wings fully expanded and 

 pressed closely to the surface, as if exhibiting themselves 

 to the greatest advantage. The beautiful little Erycinidse 

 of South America vary remarkably in their mode of 

 resting. The majority always rest on the under surface 

 of leaves with their wings expanded, so that when 

 they settle they suddenly disappear from sight. Some, 

 however, as the elegant gold-spotted Helicopis cupido, 

 rest beneath leaves with closed wings. A few, as the 

 genera Charis and Themone, for example, sit on the 

 upper side of leaves with their wings expanded ; while 

 the gorgeously-coloured Erycinas rest with wings erect 

 and exposed as in the majority of butterflies. The 

 Hesperidse vary in a somewhat similar manner. All 

 rest on the upper side of leaves or on the ground, but 

 some close their wings, others expand them, and a third 

 group keep the upper pair of wings raised while the 



