NO. 1928. DRAGON FLIES OF THE CUMBERLAND VALLEY— WILSON. 191 



4. GOMPHUS NOTATUS Rambur. 



A single inale was captured at the Great Falls of the Cumberland, 

 July 5. It was flying up and down the river over the swift water 

 just above the falls. It is a very strong flier and is exceptionally 

 active, remaining a long time on the wing. Indeed, this one did not 

 alight at all during the hour that it was watched. The species is com- 

 paratively rare, since no other specimens were seen during the summer. 



5. GOMPHUS SPINICEPS (Walsh). 



A single female was captured in the long grass on the banks of 

 Greasy Creek in Russell County, Kentucky, July 17. Quite a number 

 of specimens were present in the immediate vicinity, but it was prac- 

 tically impossible to detect any of them before they flew up out of 

 the grass. The one obtained was caught accidentally while sweeping 

 the grass for damsel flies. It is a strong flier and frequents the \dcin- 

 ity of riffles, wiiere the water flows rapidly over small stones. It is 

 recorded by Williamson from Tennessee. 



6. GOMPHUS DILATATUS Rambur. 



A single female was taken at JelUco, Tennessee, June 28, on the 

 Clear Fork of the Cumberland. This is one of the larger species, but 

 chd not prove so difficult to capture, since it may be approached with 

 comparative ease while at rest. Several other specimens were seen 

 at the same locahty, but it was not found anywhere else during the 

 summer. 



7. GOMPHUS PLAGIATUS Selys. 



This species was common all along the river from Burnside, Ken- 

 tucky, to Nashville, Tennessee. It frequents the riffles, flying back 

 and forth over the swift current, and is seldom seen in the long 

 stretches of quiet water between. Frequently it dives into the water 

 for its prey, plunging entirely beneath the surface. It immediately 

 comes forth, spreads its mngs, and fhes away into the very top of one 

 of the tallest trees along the river bank, there to enjoy its meal in 

 quiet security. 



It veiy seldom alighted on the shore and proved difficult to cap- 

 ture, all the specimens having to be shot either while hovering over 

 the water or while munching their prey in the trees. 



It may be recognized when flying near at hand by the reddish-brown 

 posterior end of the abdomen, which stands out in good contrast to 

 the darker color of the rest of the body. About a dozen specimens 

 were obtained at A-arious riffles on the river in Russell, Cumberland, 

 and Monroe Counties, Kentucky, and Clay and Jackson Counties, 

 Tennessee. In hovering over the water the abdomen is not elevated, 

 as in the following species, but is held nearly horizontal. 



