48 THE EEPORT OF THE No. 36 



In this locality the Large-leaved Aster {Aster macrophyllus L.) grows plenti- 

 fully. An insect of remarkable habits feeds upon it, viz., TricotapJie levisella 

 Pyles. The larvae of this species fasten the edges of the large bottom leaves to- 

 gether and thus form ample tents within which they feed. A full description of 

 the insect in its different stages is given in the 33rd Annual Report of our Society 

 on page 28. 



Another insect deserving of notice that may be met with along this military 

 road is the fine ruby-winged locust described by Harris under the name Locusta 

 corallina (See "Insects Injurious to Vegetation.'" p. 176). 



Old St. Henky Road. — This road, when I lived at South Quebec, was a rich 

 hunting ground for the naturalist. No less tlian eight species of the Cicindelidas 

 frequented it, viz., longildbris, 6-guUata, Umbalis. purpurea, vulgaris, 12-guUata, 

 repanda and hirticolUs. 



1 took Lexis hicolor Grote on this road. Thecla titus Fabr. was plentiful 

 there, and Delis portlandia Fabr., Phyciodes nycieis Dbl. and Pamphila paniscus 

 Fabr. were there to be seen. 



Where the road passed through damp woods, a plant that attracted attention 

 was the White Lettuce {Nabalus altissimus Hooker). Its stout stems rose like 

 spires, from the wayside, tall as a man, and clothed with long leaves. This plant 

 is a habitation and food-store for Aulax nahali Brodie. By slitting its stalks late 

 in the season, the cells or cocoons of the species may be found. The images bite 

 their ways of exit from their hibernacula in March. 



Easteen Township Lanes. — There are lanes and by-ways in the Eastern 

 Townships that more nearly resemble the green lanes of England than those I 

 have spoken of, and interesting objects appear in them. Riding slowly through 

 one such lane in the year 1867, I witnessed a sight which I had never seen before, 

 and which I do not expect to see again, namely — a small flight of Passenger 

 Pigeons {Ectopistes migratorius) . There were seven or eight of them. They lit 

 on some second growth maples a few yards in advance of me. They flapped their 

 wings, and flirted their long tails, and preened their fine plumage, greatly to my 

 delight. 



Two other kinds of birds especially worthy of notice that came under my 

 observation in the Eastern Townships' lanes were the Great Grey Owl (Scotiaspex 

 nehulosa) and the Barred Owl {Strix varia). The former whose big round head 

 seemed too large for his body was greatly disturbed at my appearance. It rolled 

 its head and fidgeted and blinked at me, but seemed to doubt the propriety of 

 taking flight — it may have been recently mobbed by other birds. I left it un- 

 molested to its wise cogitations. 



The Barred Owl is a smaller bird — trim and alert. 



Green lanes in those parts are frequented by the strangely elusive and tanta- 

 lizing butterfly Grapta j-aTbum, Boisd. & LeC. It is an insect of rich colouring 

 and powerful wing. It rises before you, and you watch its direct and rapid flight, 

 and note the spot where it alights. You hasten thither, and, drawing nigh, walk 

 warily ; but, look carefully as you may, you cannot perceive it. Suddenly it starts 

 up, a few yards before you, and dashes away, and so on, till you a;bandon the 

 pursuit. Its under side is of sober browns, like the fencing on which it usually 

 alights. Gosse took this insect in the " Grove Lane " at Compton, P. Que. He 

 named it the "Compton Tortoise." (See Canadian Naturalist, p. 247). 



