The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-10-30

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once. | finally consigned the unfortunate
captive TO solitary confinement In q small
paper box, without food, and almost
without air. Even under these circum-
| stances. and after all his other trials. he
continued to live more than five days.
A MIGRATORY BAND.
II was evident from what we observed
that the butterflies were emigratlng, and
that they were capable not only OF per-
%sistent. but Of long protracted flight.
Their strength OF wing and great vitality
gave proof Of this. IL seemed more than
probable that they had come from a dis
lance. and had a long journey before
them. AS a rule, they never halted until
towards the close Of the day. A short
time after the sun had set they could be
seen lingering about the ~neighboring trees,
as II selecting lodging places for the night.
How far South they go we have no way
of determining. This can only be done by
the vigilance Of some future observer
south OF us. whose interest may be en-
listed by reading the account Of them
herein given. Within the past few weeks
II has been ascertained that this singular
phenomenon has been observed westward
in the Valley OF Virginia, not far from
the Allegheny mountains, and also at a
point east Of the Blue Ridge as far as
Richmond itself. The probabilities are,
therefore. hat the same may be said In
regard to the still more remote part Of
the country. For reasons given above, ii
cannot be determined from what distance
northward this emigration begins. Every
one knows thai butterflies are generally
classed by scientists among the ephemera,
or insects whose lives scarcely last more
than a day. The chief object OF their
existence seems extended merely 70 per-
petuate their species. They lay their
eggs. are Matched, futter away n few
passing hours among the flowers, as
short-lived and evanescent as themselves.
and then die. But here is a variety that
seems u decided exception to this rule. |
Can 1t be that this vigorous. strong
winged adventurer spends the winter In
some more congenial cline and returns
the following spring? Such a suppose
ton is not at all in keeping with the
habits Of others of this class Of insects. |
1t seems more probable that his progen-
itors deposited. their eggs during the last
year. they were duly Matched. and lay
alternating in their appropriate cOcoons
until reused by the yernal heat OF spring.
they burst the cerements Of
their temporary tombs and come
forth TO repeat the story OF
their curious careers. We NAV. therefore.
infer that those we have lately seen so
steadily on the wing southwark have
left deposited somewhere north Of US
the germs Of future hosts, who, i'm due
time, will re-enact the phenomenon we
have lately witnessed. OF course, there
is n purpose in all this. Nature does
nothing in vain. and we are, therefore,
warranted in the conclusion that what
ever may be the results Of our w spec
ulations. these creatures OF a day. Of a
month, or, perhaps, OF many months,
must be fulfilling their destiny in some one
OF the economies of creation.
A CURIOUS INCIDENT.
Another incident not so striking as the
one just referred TO attracted my atten-
tiOr during the quiet and heat of q long
summers day. The o~vershadow.ng trees
relief from a tropical sun; do
nestle fowls. scattered here and there
over the 0ithering growth and parched
grass. were feeding and chattering in
their Innocent way of matters hest TN
derstood by themselves. Now ana then
the gallant head of the family, with crest
erect and curious eye. sent an upward
glance Of ci-rcumspection by way OF eau
ton against the predatory enemies of his
tribe. No hawk was near; but. to my
surprise, just at the moment Il small
Of partridges appeared upon the
scene. The quiet little strangers mixed
freely with their domestic ~neighbors.
W lAilOu appearing tlNiAcI u dilIdEl liltAE
notice or be themselves disturbed by
their presence. They red together, and,
for aught / know, Chatted together in a
anguage perhaps common TO all gallina-
ceOus fowls. one would haVe supposed
that the domestic fowls, chickens as
well as older birds, would nave exhibited
anmosity towards these fierce. these
wild, wandering and uncared for in
truders from the forests and fields, whose
interests, tastes and habits were in every
so foreign 10 their own. Not
so. however. Tle partridges, having lin
gered long enough TO get their share OF
the seeds and what Of other food they
,ould. gathered themselves together at a
given signal softly whispered by their
leader and answered by the flock. | was
near enough 10 have known what they
said could l have understood their gentle
y%ernacular. Suddenly, as If they had de-
.ected the presence Of myself or found
hey had incau,iously approached too
rear the habitation Of man, with a start
and unanimous whirr they took TO
wing and disappeared over the hills.
rhe incident, although unimpOrtant in
tself. suggested reflections. There must
been some good reason why these
Wild birds were not at once driven of
nd treated as strangers by the domestic
owls. We understand why the wild tur-
.ey IS often known 10 associate on the
most friendly terms with his domesti-
ated n%eighbor, and we are not surprised
o find hat upon occasion the bearded
nd lusty veterans OF the forests are
Won't 10 meet the fair daughters Of civil
.zation upon the most affectionate terms :
[ their trysting places in the jungle, and
ften with reckless disregard Of their
.%ersonal safety pursue their favorites
p 10 the barn-yard itself. These, being
t the same species. having the same 4
abits, and being originally Of the same ,
amily, do not fail, therefore, to recog- |
ize the fact. But there is a wide diff
erence in the case OF the domestic fowl
nd in the untamed partridge, although
hey both may be classed as g~allinaceous
owls.
wAs IT INSTINCT
The reason why the former was undis-
urbed by the presence OF the latter is
o be found in the fact that they knew
the partridge was not an enemy.
hat mysterious gift, common to all ami
nal creation in its multiform manifesto !
ions, called instinct enabled them to feel
his. Had a serpent or any reptile or
mailer animal been seen, never SO gent
y or quietly, moving through the under
rowth the equanimity Of our domestic
.ock would have been seriously disturb
d.. The older hens would have cackled
horror; the younger pullets, frantic
fright. would have fiuttered of In
screams. The cock himself
ould not hesitate 10 sound the danger
ignal and urge the retreat Of his house
old to a safer place. How mysterious
nd subtle is this agency-this handmade