158 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
Crtistacea, etc. — A small surface tow-uet was used a few times aud tlie lower forms 
of life found to be abundant. Only two species of mollusks were found, viz, Limncm 
palustris in the lake among the vegetation and Flanorbis trivolvis about the lake. 
Reptiles and batrachians. — Only one species of snake {Thamnophis vayram) was 
seen about this lake. Not more than four or five examples were seen. The only 
batrachians obtained were Rana pretiosa, Bufo liaJophihis coliimbiensis, and Hyla 
regilla. All these were fairly abundant, paiTicularly the frog. 
Muskrats were not uncommon and were sometimes caught in our gill-nets, to 
which they did considerable damage with their sharp teeth. 
Bear were not uncommon about the lakes and along the streams. After the 
salmon began to die the bear frequented the streams to feed upon the dead or dying fish. 
The birds that deserve mention are the following: Horned grebe {Colymbus 
auritu.s)j red-breasted merganser or fish duck {iMeryaii.ser serrator), and mallard (A7ias 
boschas), all of which feed more or less upon the fish. The fish -duck was quite common 
and fed largely upon the dead redfish, which, as a rule, were kept pretty well cleaned 
up, the fish-ducks being the principal agent in their prompt reuioval. 
Several species of insects found about these lakes deserve mention. First of all 
is a large, voracious horselly ( Therioplectes sono^nensis), which is excessively abundant 
in duly and August, when it is very annoying to both man and beast. So troublesome 
was it in some localities that work had to be abandoned. Later in the season this fly 
proved very good bait for trout and squawfish. 
Among the butterflies noted about the lakes were the following: 
Neopliasia meuapia Feld. 
Argynnis enrynome Edw. 
Grapta zei)liyrus Edw. 
Vanessa antiopa L. 
1 Colias em-ythene keewaydiu Edw. 
Tliecla fiiliginosa Edw. 
Theda titus Fabr. 
Lycipiia acnion Dbl. Hew. 
Pamphila nneas Edw. 
Chrj'sophanus sp. f 
Trout and squawfish were seen feeding u])on several of these species, but the one 
of greatest interest was Neopliasia ^nenapia. This small white butterfly was common 
at all times during the latter part of July and August. On August 15 a remarkable 
flight was noticed at Pettit Lake. While ascending the ridge on the left shore of 
Pettit Lake great numbers were seen about Kt o’clock in the morning. The wind was 
then from the north, and the butterflies were being carried along by it down toward 
the lake and Salmon River Valley. As we ascended the ridge toward the top of 
Mount Parks the numbers continued to increase until we had reached a height of 
about 8,500 feet. Above that altitude the numbers were much reduced, but many 
were seen even upon the summit, 10,400 feet above the sea. The flight was a most 
interesting one. A stiff breeze was blowing and the thousands of butterflies were 
being carried along at a rapid rate. When in protected places they traveled more 
slowly, but rarely did one stop to rest. 
On August 20 a similar flight was witnessed by Mr. WTlliams at Big Payette Lake. 
The people in that region had never before noticed this species as being particularly 
abundant, and regarded this flight as something quite unusual. 
For several days following the flight at Pettit Lake this butterfly was unusually 
abundant in the lower canyons and the valley. While flying across the lakes or 
streams hundreds would each day droj) into the water through fatigue or frayed-out 
wings, when they would be seized by the trout, squawfish, and perhaps by other 
species. Mr. Williams noticed small fishes feeding upon them at various times, 
