'88 AN ENTOMOLOaiST S EXCURSlOlf. 



Hawk Moth, {Sjihinx Ligustri,) feeding on some lilac, and a few yards from 

 the same spot, I found two full-grown larvae of the Goat Moth, {Cossus 

 ligniperda.) There is a footpath leading from Lower Milton to Wookey- 

 Hole, a pretty little village, noted for its cavern, from which issues a fine 

 stream of water which drives several grist and paper n.ills. As I was going 

 to Wookey-Hole, I heard some Magpies chattering, and saw three or four 

 flying round a spot in a corner of the field; their excessive noise and 

 active movements indicating their having something more than common to 

 engage their attention. After watching them for some minutes, for I felt 

 quite amused to see them, and particularly one bird, which seemed to be 

 a young one — it would dart down on the ground, and as quickly ascend, 

 perch in a holly tree, and again ascend j all this he would do in less time 

 than I can write it, I approached the spot very cautiously, and the birds 

 redoubled their chattering at my intrusion. But guess my horror in finding 

 the object of all this bustle and clamour was a poor unfortunate sheep laid 

 down ^in a hollow, and unable to get up. The Magpies, taking advan- 

 tage of her helpless position, attacked her, and actually plucked out both her 

 eyes. It was a pitiful scene — a scene I never wish again to witness. I 

 assisted the poor creature on her legs, but she could not stand. I could 

 see she had been there some time: she was quite powerless on that side on 

 which she lay. I remained with her until I saw a farmer's man, to whom 

 I gave her in charge. I declared vengeance against the predatory chattering 

 rogues, who still looked me in the face from a neighbouring tree; and if 

 I could find them in the same predicament as they found their victim, their 

 lives should pay the forfeit. 



On ray Way to Wookey-Hole I took the Holly Blue, {Polyommatus Argiolm,) 

 Little Blue, {P. ahus,) Common Blue, (P. alexis^ and Brown Argus Blue, 

 (P. agestis.) The foregoing Butterflies, with the exception of the Holly Blue, 

 are plentifully distributed about our neighbourhood. When I got to Wookey- 

 Hole, I went in through the gateway at the east side of the paper mill, 

 and walked along by the river till I reached the overhanging rocks whence 

 the water issues. These rocks form a natural arch about thirty feet 

 high, forty broad, and sixty long, covering a beautiful sheet of crystal 

 water. As you gaze on these rocks, the cavern's mouth stands on the 

 left; the entrance to the cavern is narrow, but soon opens into a 

 spacious vault eighty feet in height. The whole roof and sides are incrusted 

 with sparry concretions of curious forms, and present a grand appearance 

 to the spectator, when accommodated with a good light, through this dark 

 subterraneous passage. These rocks are favourite building-places of numerous 

 Jackdaws, and they not only build in the chinks of the rocks, but in for- 

 saken rabbit-holes around the surface edges; and likewise in many of the 

 hollow trees. About five years ago, when rambling about these huge piles, 

 I heard a noise close to me resembling the loud breathing of one asleep. 

 After searching some time, I found it proceeded from a hole under a tree 



