150 21ie Scottish Natin^alist. 



the blossoms of white campion at dusk. It flies also and basks 

 on the fruit walls in the sunshine occasionally. Both this 

 insect and ganwia bask in the same way, and fly through the 

 day, and in this habit appear to be a link between the day-fly- 

 ing and night-loving species. They both appear to feed 

 towards dusk, and are nearly the earliest noctua^ that come to 

 blossom. The extent of the central shade is the only variation 

 I observe, — an almost equal number having it entire or 

 interru^jted in the middle. 



G. bractea. — Common some seasons, but local and difficult to 

 obtain in first-rate condition. Much more common than the 

 following species, and flies rather later than some of its congeners. 

 I have taken it by the light of the lantern flying at campion 

 blossom long after it was too dark to distinguish any insect 

 without a light. 



P. festiicce. — Not common. Partial to rhododendron, red 

 valerian and white campion blossom, not forgetting the brown 

 turncap lily, a great favourite with all the Lepidoptera that feed 

 on the wing or partially so. 



P. gamma. — Abundant from June. Hibernates I think, as I 

 see it occasionally basking on the rocks in early spring. 



P. inter rogationis. — I have a specimen, unfortunately a good 

 deal spoilt, taken in the garden by one of my sons. Mr. Herd 

 has taken specimens on the higher ground. 



Stilbia anomala. — Locally common at the blossom of rag^vort 

 and wood sage ; comes also to light or at least may be taken on 

 the wing with a lantern. 



Euclidia mi. — Mr. Herd used to take this insect on the 

 lower ground at the base of Moncreiffe Hill ; it has not been 

 noticed however of late years. 



This completes the list of Nocture which have been observed 

 at Moncreifl"e as far as I know, but I have no doubt a few 

 more may occur, as several of the more local species have only 

 been observed within the last three or four years. 



59. Thyatira batis; c 66. Leucania conigera ; c 



60. Cymatophora duplaris ; / 67. „ Hthargyria;c 

 61 „ flavicornis;/ 68. ,, comma ;c 



62. Bryophila pcrla ; c 69. „ impura; c 



63. Acronycta psi ; c 70. ,, pallens ; c 



64. „ ligustri; c 71. Nonagria fulva ; c 



65. „ rumicis ; c 72. Gortyna flavago ; c 



