I <J2I. 



Notes. 



97 



NOTES. 



ZOOLOGY. 



The Wood White Butterfly in Co. Dublin. 



When spending the day in Glenasmole on 2nd June last v/ith Mr. 

 G. E. C. Maconchy, I suggested we should keep a sharp look-out for the 

 Wood White {Leucophasia sinapis) as it had in recent years been taken in 

 Co. Wicklow. Scarcely had I uttered the words when Mr. Maconchy 

 drew my attention to a small white butterfly fluttering feebly in front of 

 us along the path. This upon capture proved to be a Wood White : it 

 was taken near the N.E. corner of the upper reservoir. On the loth June 

 I captured another perfect specimen at the foot of Glenasmole (Boherna- 

 breena), while on the 25th of same month Mr. Praeger and I obtained 

 a much worn example along the eastern shore of the upper reservoir, not 

 far from the ruined church, and later in the day captured one and saw 

 several in the little glen below Ballynascorney gap, above Bohernabreena. 



It would appear probable, therefore, that the Wood White is common 

 in this district, though an addition to the Co. Dublin fauna. Mr. Halbert 

 informs me that the species is supposed to have been extending its area of 

 distribution in Ireland in recent years and it may possibly be a newcomer 

 to Glenasmole. It may at once be distinguished from the other Whites 

 by its small size, weak flight, the b^ack apex of the forewings, together 

 with the absence of spots on the wings. It appears in May and June. 



A. W. Stelfox. 



National Museum, Dublin. 



Behaviour of a Fritillary. 



On July 8, on a grassy hilltop near Hilltown, Co. Down, the curious 

 behaviour of a Fritillary, which I believe to have been a Silver-washed, 

 Argynnis paphia (of which I saw many in the district), attracted attention. 

 It had a regular beat up and down a curved loose stone wall about 100 

 yards in length, flying low in the shelter of the wall, always crossing it at 

 a certain point, turning at the top where a lov/ cross-wall ran, and so back 

 again. Occasionally a mate would appear, when the two would whirl up 

 high in air and fly to windward till lost to sight ; but in a minute one — 

 presumably the same — would return and resume its patrol. Presently 

 it took to alighting at intervals on one or other frond of bracken about 

 12 feet from where I sat. Wishing to see if it would resume its regular 

 beat if disturbed, I threw a stone near it to alarm it. The butterfly at 

 once darted upwards like an arrow at the stone, and followed it right dowi; 



