56 THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST 



ing the seasons first, it may be pointed out that specimens 

 may be obtained on sunny days from January onwards, but 

 that naturally as the spring and summer advance the number 

 of species to be had increases, reaching the climax about 

 the end of June. July and August are both good collecting 

 months, but later than this the species as well as the 

 individuals fall off gradually in numbers, although certain 

 kinds may be obtained as long as there is favourable weather. 

 The most suitable time for collecting is the forenoon of 

 a calm, sunny day, especially after rain, while, since the 

 habits of flies in general are so various, the kind of locality 

 to be worked naturally depends largely upon the particular 

 group or groups desired. For example, the Hover-flies 

 or Syrphidse, which are the most attractive to the beginner, 

 are habitual frequenters of flowers, especially those of 

 composite and umbelliferous plants. A large patch of 

 flowering-heads of such plants as Cow-Parsnip {Heradeuni), 

 Angelica, Rag- wort, and the like is sure to yield a plentiful 

 supply of specimens, not only of Syrphidae but also of 

 Muscidae, Tachinidae, Anthomyiidae, and Empidae. When 

 such a favourable mass of bloom is met with, and the sun 

 is shining brightly, it is best to remain there for an hour 

 or two, capturing the flies as they settle on the flowers. 

 Such a method of collecting waiting for the flies to 

 appear is not only an easier but often a much more profit- 

 able one, than the covering of miles of ground by toilsome 

 tramping. 



In the spring primroses, marsh marigolds, and sallows 

 are fruitful sources of interesting species, such as the 

 members of the genus Chilosia, while later on even buttercups, 

 daisies, and dandelions afford an astonishing variety of 

 Diptera, and should not be despised. As it is next to 

 impossible to identify at sight the numerous species of 

 Anthomyiidae, etc., which haunt wayside flowers, it is a 

 wise plan to capture the flies wholesale without any attempt 

 at discrimination, leaving the task of discarding undesirable 

 specimens until the time for pinning arrives. Only then 

 does one really discover the value of a day's captures, and 

 what appears in the field to be an ordinary black proletarian 



