HARDWICKE'S SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 



209 



2 inches ill expansion, in the same locality, and on 

 the same day. My earliest date for the appearance 

 of the Orange-tip was April 15th. A friend noticed 

 it on the previous day, but did not succeed in cap- 

 turing it. In 1869 I saw it first on April 23rd, 

 and in 1870 on May 6th.— John Henderson, Jim., 

 Reading, Berks. 



Processionary Moths (p. 185).— There must 

 be some misapprehension regarding the species 

 which occurs at Swanage, for the true Proces- 

 sionary Moths are not natives of this country. The 

 young caterpillars of several of our native species 

 move towards their food in regular order, as for 

 instance those of the Buff-tip {Pygcera Bucephala), 

 and the Gothic (Nmna typica), yet they are not 

 true processionaries. These are not species con- 

 structing a common nest ; but those which do, such 

 as the Lackey {Bombyx neustria), sometimes also 

 crawl forth in a sort of procession, yet generally 

 disperse when they reach the twigs on which they 

 are about to feed. I imagine that the species 

 whose habits are noted by your correspondent is 

 the Gold-tail {Liparis cturiflua), tolerably well 

 known for its urticating properties, but certainly 

 less troublesome than the continental species 

 referred to. Many a debate has been held on the 

 question as to the cause of the irritation they pro- 

 duce, some attributing it to the hairs, others to 

 small flakes of a cottony matter ejected by the 

 caterpillars, and others again to the emission of a 

 peculiar fluid. — /. B. S. C. 



Seeking Protection.— A few days ago one of 

 our family hearing the bright chirp of a greenfinch 

 at a window which was closed, went towards it, 

 and saw the little bird tapping, as if for admittance, 

 at the glass : the window was opened, whereupon 

 the bird flew into the room; however it seemed, 

 having gained its object, not desirous of further 

 investigations about the home-life of the genus 

 Homo, and accordingly, taking advantage of an 

 upen door and adjoining open window, it flew again 

 into outer air. We fancy it must have been 

 frightened by the pursuit of some bird of prey, and, 

 inter spem curamque, in its terror tried to find a 

 grain of compassion amongst men. — W. Douglas 

 liobinson, Kirkennan, Dalbeattie, N.B. 



CiiiEROCAttPA Celerio. — |A specimen of the 

 Silver-striped Hawk-moth {Chcerocampa Celerio) was 

 caught at Southport last Monday, July 17th, and 

 was sent to me. It is perfect, with the exception 

 of the tip of one of the front wings, which is 

 broken— E. Bell. 



European Birds in New Zealand.— Through 

 the praiseworthy efforts of our local Agricultural 

 Society, a few skylarks and sparrows have been 

 introduced to the province of Taranaki. Vigorous 



European birds have become a desideratum he e, 

 through the rapid decrease of the feeble native 

 birds by the depredations of the domestic cat, 

 Norway rat, and kingfisher {Halcyon vagans). The 

 Bell-bird>f Captain Cook {Anthornis melanura), and 

 the native robins {Petroica), once numerous, are 

 now nearly extinct : you may travel for miles in 

 the forest without seeing or hearing them. The 

 Kingfisher, however, is increasing both in numbers 

 and rapacity. Once he appeared to be quite harm- 

 less, contenting himself with the small fry in the 

 forest streams, wood-boring larvae, and the spider- 

 crabs of the beach ; now he devours young chickens, 

 small birds, and mice.— B. Wells, Taranaki, N.Z. 



Swallows. — In a cafe or coffee-shop in a village 

 where swallows {Hirundo rustica) breed every year, 

 at present there are two nests, each with young. 

 The old birds feed the young up till sunset. 

 One bird stays by the nest while the other is 

 away seeking food. As soon as the seeker enters 

 the cafe, by open doors or windows, on its return, 

 the bird in waiting immediately flies off in its turn 

 for food. Such is their regular mode, as I watched 

 them long. After sunset the old birds cease seeking 

 food. One of the birds sits on the young at night, 

 and the other retires to a perch close by for the 

 night, close to well-lighted lamps, smoking of 

 cigars, the din and noise of numbers of people. 

 Such is custom and confidence. These birds are 

 very partial to building in cafes in this part. They 

 return with food to their young yery quickly— 

 insects are abundant here— T. B., Ortakeny, Turkey, 

 July 25. 



British Butterflies in India.— I have ob- 

 served the following British butterflies occurring 

 in great abundance upon the plains and hills of the 

 Punjab. I have compared the Indian with some 

 English specimens, and, except in two instances, 

 have found the markings and colourings exactly 

 similar. The Swallow-tail (Papilio Machaon), the 

 Brimstone {Gonepterix rhamni), the Clouded Yel- 

 low {Colias hyale), the Black-veined {Aporia cra- 

 teegi), the Large Garden White {Pier is brassier), 

 the Small Garden White {Pieris rapa), the 

 Painted Lady {Cynthia cardui), the Large, Tor- 

 toiseshell {Vanessa polychloros) , the Small Tor- 

 toiseshell {Vanessa urticce), the Queen of Spain 

 Pritillary {Argynnis Lathonia), the Small Copper 

 {Chrysophanus Phlceas), the Azure Blue {Polyom- 

 matus argiolus), the Little Blue {Polyommatus 

 alsus), also the Apollo {Pamassius Apollo) and the 

 Long-tailed Blue {Polyommatus bceticus). Many 

 species of very handsome butterflies, moths, and 

 beetles are found here ; but as we have had much 

 rainy and cold weather since the middle of April, it 

 has been a very bad season for the entomologist.— 

 Edward D. Burton, Simla, India. 



