276 
TROPICAL NATURE 
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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 -trunks, usually with the wings 
erect, hut the Ageronias expand them and always rest with 
the head downwards. Many Nymphalidse prefer resting on 
the top 6f a stick ; others choose bushes with dead leaves j 
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 Hesperidse, as well as 
species of the genera Cyrestis and Symmachia, and a few 
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 hind wings are 
expanded, a habit found in some of our European species. 
Many of the Lycsenidse, especially the Theclas, have the 
curious habit, while sitting with their wings erect, of 
moving the lower pair over each other in opposite directions, 
giving them the strange appearance of eccentrically revolving 
discs. 
The great majority of butterflies disappear at night, rest- 
ing concealed amid foliage, or on sticks or trunks, or in such 
places as harmonise with their colours and markings ; but the 
gaily-coloured Heliconidse and Daniadse seek no such conceal- 
ment, but rest at night hanging at the ends of slender twigs 
