Oct., '09] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS 361 



pair of legs, and his partner with the other two pairs. In every 

 case observed the female held an insect in her legs, and was 

 busily engaged in devouring it. Her long stiff proboscis was 

 run through and through the prey, apparently with the great- 

 est ease, while she turned it about with her legs, reminding 

 one of the balloon juggling practiced by the male Empis aero- 

 batica. If a pair were forced from their perch they flew off 

 and were able to re-alight without interrupting either breeding 

 or feeding processes. The prey of 17 pairs collected consists 

 entirely of Diptera, as follows : 14 Bibio pallipcs Say., a very 

 abundant species at the time, and one each of Pegoinyia fns- 

 ciceps Zetterstedt, Borborus cquinus Fallen and an Empis sp. 

 in too poor condition for identification. In this connection the 

 writer wishes to express his hearty thanks to Mr. D. W. 

 Coquillet for determining the flies herein mentioned. 



Although numbers of Empis spectabilis were seen every day 

 for a week no indications were noticed of balloon or other web 

 making such as has been described in the case of E. acrobatica 

 and several European Empididae. The observations are in 

 harmony with previous ones demonstrating the predaceous 

 qualities of Empids ; they show furthermore that cannibalism, 

 at least of a generic character, is practiced. Great dexterity in 

 suspending themselves and in manipulating their prey, charac- 

 terizes the Empids so far observed. Behavior in sexual union 

 varies greatly; an interesting feature is the carrying of prey 

 at this time by two of the four species whose habits are known. 



OF INTEREST TO COLLECTORS OF INSECTS. PROGRESS IN CIT.A. With 

 the beginning of the present fiscal year the Republic of Cuba es- 

 tablishes a Bureau of Information, President Gomez appointing Leon 

 J. Canova, an American newspaper man, who has resided in Cuba 

 eleven years and has a wide acquaintance with the Island, as its direc- 

 tor. 



Parties wishing information of any nature concerning Cuba can 

 obtain same, free of charge, by writing to Leon J. Canova, U. and 

 I. Bureau (Utility and Information Bureau), Department of Agri- 

 culture, Commerce and Labor, Havana, Cuba. 



