Colours of British Butterflies

Abstract

THE sober colouring of the under-wings of many of our butterflies is universally accepted as being “protective.” Let the gorgeous “peacock,” for instance, but close his wings, and it takes a sharp eye to see him. Why then should he and so many other kinds flaunt their most brilliant hues in the brightest sunshine, and often be rendered even more conspicuous by perching on a yellow flower? One would think that this was the exact way to attract birds, especially as the colours are not likely to be “warning” ones, for if so, why the sober hues of the under sides of the wings? The colours can hardly be “warnings” to particular kinds of birds and “protective” against the attacks of others. The explanation may be that the facilities for recognition, and thus for the continuation of the species, are so much greater in bright light, as to render it advantageous on the whole to run the chance of easier capture in the brighter parts of the day: or it may be that relatively few birds feed at the times that butterflies choose to display their beauties.