A nax. 1 69 



prominent. [From cmpt}' cases found on Pusher 



Common, June 17 and 21, 1897, low down amongst 



rushes growing in shallow water.] (Fig. 34. See 

 also Figs. 14 to 19.) 



Date. 



Mr. C. A. l^riggs took this species immature on 

 Ockham Common as early as May 15, in 1893. M)' 

 latest captures were on August 10, on Esher Common, 

 in 1894, and a blue-bodied female on the corresponding 

 day of 1898 in the New Forest. June and July are 

 the best months for the species. 



Habits. 



It is an extremel}' difficult matter to get within 

 striking distance of these splendid insects, not onl\- 

 because they seem particularly suspicious of anyone -in 

 possession of a net, but also from the habit they often 

 have of keeping well out oxer the water, and hawking 

 round the edge of a reed-bed, or some similar post of 

 vantage. Moreover, their flight is often intermittent, 

 for the disappearance of the sun behind a cloud 

 is in general the signal for the cessation of their 

 restless movements to and fro, which are soon resumed, 

 however, on its reappearance. But on one occasion, on 

 a dull warm afternoon in June, they flew a good deal 

 even when the sun was not actually shining. At 

 Esher Common in the daj'time the\' seem to rest 

 amongst the reeds, but when evening approaches to fly 

 to the firs as if to roost there. In that locality also 

 the males sometimes fly low amongst the reeds, 

 perhaps in search of the females. Patience must be a 



