March, I90I.] HaRRIS : CiCINDELID/E OF Mt. DeSERT, MaINE. 27 



was no need for it that day, as they were skipping about quite low, 

 partly on cedar, partly on potentilla and mountain cress. Another 

 time I went there and found this little Thecla at his old tricks, eluding 

 my net by dropping into the grass. 



This habit, however, seems to be common with various Thecla. I 

 noticed it especially on Thecla niphon, titiis, iriis and aiigustus all of 

 which I took specimens on the same place. The only difference 

 being that the latter Thecla, having brownish undersides, would 

 select bare ground, rocks or dry twigs to drop thereon, and if not very 

 carefully watched their whereabouts would be quite problematic to the 

 pursuer. 



CICINDELID^ OF MT. DESERT, MAINE. 



By Edw. Doubleday Harris. 



A persistent search for Cicindelidae in the Island of Mt. Desert, on 

 the coast of Maine, was undertaken by the writer in August (8-28) of 

 the past season. The field covered was that portion of the island south 

 of a line drawn from Newport Mt. on the east coast to Seal Cove on 

 the west. But four species were found, lougilahris, purpurea limbalis 

 Klug, vulgaris, and a variety of repaiula. The ground is not favorable 

 for the preservation of the genus. Sea beaches are infrequent and con- 

 tracted, and generally of a pebbly material, the coast being almost 

 universally rocky, and often of precipitous cliffs. There are but few 

 sand deposits in this part of the island, and the banks of the streams 

 and ponds are heavily wooded. 



Lougilahris occurs nowhere plentifully, distributed along the roads, 

 generally through woods, but where there is an abundance of sunlight. 

 In a day's outing, it was possible to take from five to eight specimens. 

 Out of fifty, taken during the period, there was but little departure 

 from the type, either in color or markings. Perhaps ten per ct. were 

 of a slightly brownish hue ; three or four specimens had abnormally 

 large humeral and apical spots, and in as many all markings were some- 

 what obscure. The species, as here observed, has a higher and longer 

 flight than is usual with the genus, a distance of fifty to seventy feet 

 being not uncommon. Its large size and dark color render pursuit 

 easy. It is not wary, and once located on the ground can be readily 

 taken with the net. 



