186 A. COTTAM LEPIDOPTERA 



whole hillside being grey with it. During a short time when the 

 sun was obscured by clouds I counted fifteen sitting on a single 

 plant of knapweed. 



Lycmia minima {alsus). — The Bedford blue. — This, our smallest 

 butterfly, is abundant on the bank of the Canal at Tring, where 

 the kidney vetch {AnthylUs vulneraria), the food-plant of the larva, 

 grows in large masses. 



Hesperia comma. — The silver-spotted skipper. — This has been 

 recorded as being taken at Broxbourne Common in 1874. Newman 

 states that one specimen was taken on Berkhamsted Common ; but 

 that it is by no means scarce on the Aldbury downs has not 

 previously been noted. It is a local and certainly not a common 

 insect. 



I may note in passing that there is a beech wood on the side of 

 the hill above the rifle-butts on these downs in which JEpinephele 

 hyperanthus^ the ringlet, abounds, though I have never seen 

 a specimen outside the wood. I doubt whether the beauty of 

 this somewhat dingy butterfly, when it has freshly emerged from 

 the pupa, is generally appreciated. The scales are then a rich 

 glossy black, and in the sunshine with a beautiful blue and green 

 iridescence. It is so easily rubbed and so soon gets worn that it 

 is not easy to obtain a good series. 



There are, of course, several other butterflies to be taken on 

 these downs, of which the following may be worth mentioning : — 



Lyccuna icanis (akxis). — The common blue. 



i. astrarche {agrotis). — The brown argus. — The food-plant of 

 this butterfly, the common rock-rose {HeliantJiemum vulgare), covers 

 these hills. 



Thecla ruM. — The green hairstreak. 



Hesperia syhanus, — The large skipper. 



Niso7iiades tages. — The dingy skipper. — The Aldbury specimens 

 of this butterfly belie their English name, for they are richly and 

 beautifully varied in colour, and are very handsome. 



HETEllOCEEA. — Moths. 



Sphinges. — Hawk-Moths. 



Choerocampa porcelhis. — Bushey Heath. 

 C. elpenor. — Bushey Heath. 



Macroglossa stellaturum. — The humming-bird hawk -moth was 

 tolerably common in 1899. It was even taken in London. 

 Zygena filipendulce. — Common on the canal bank at Tring. 



BOMBYCES. 



Halias prasinana. — Bricket "Wood. 



H. hicolorana {quercana). — This moth has not been recorded as 

 occurring in Bricket Wood. Several were seen in 1899, and 

 Mr. Stoyel secured one, which he kindly gave to me. 



