NYMPH ALID^E. 
245 
and I have had many sent me from Para, Brazil. It inhabits open 
country near forests, and is often seen with other butterflies at rest 
on the muddy banks of streams. 
A very interesting as well as exceedingly beautiful group of but¬ 
terflies is comprised in the genus Ageronia. These are inhabitants 
of Central and South America and the two species included in our 
fauna must be regarded as stragglers from lands farther south. The 
insects belonging to this group are of good size and are richly 
colored with spots and irregular lines, various shades of blue, brown 
and light gray predominating in some species. One of the most 
Ageronia ferona. 
beautiful is an intense blue black witli spots of light blue above and 
red spots beneath. Another has a very pleasing pattern of blue 
spots and lines on a black ground above, while beneath a large part 
of the surface is bright red. These butterflies are frequently seen in 
the neighborhood of dwellings among scattered trees, and invariably 
alight on their trunks head downwards, with the wings spread wide 
open. They are exceedingly pugnacious, engaging in fierce battles 
with one another, and driving away other butterflies who may 
venture near their chosen retreat. Most curious to relate, they make 
while on the wing a snapping or clicking noise with their wings, 
which may be heard at a distance of two or three rods. They are 
