132 [Juoe, 



Trichotkrips copiosus, Uzel, 1895. 

 Trichutkrlps copiosa, Uzel, Moii. der Ordnung Tht/sanoptera, p. 252, pi. IV, 

 fig. 32, and pi. VII, figs. 138 — 140, 1895; Reuter, Acta Soe. pro. Fauna et Flora 

 Fenniea, xvii, No. 2, p. 25, 1899 ; Buffa, AtLi della Soc. Tosc. di Sci. Nat., Memorie, 

 xxiii, p. 70, 1907. 



Four specimens Irom under the bark of a beech tree, taken by 

 Mr. Doiiistliorpe in Epping Forest, April, 190S. 



Distribution : Laphmd, Finland, Bohemia, Hungary and Italy ; 

 England. 



Winlaton-on-Tjne : 



April 29th, 1909. 



OBSERVATIONS ON EMPIS OPACA, F. 

 BY A. H. HAMM. 



Last year in making observations on Enipis livida I also en- 

 deavoured to study other species of the same and alliid genera. In 

 this attempt I was unsuccessful, the weather being unfavourable or 

 the season too far advanced. I have, therefore, been looking forward 

 to this season in order to continue, if possible, the work begun last 

 year. For several past week-ends I have sought unsuccessfully to 

 find some of the earlier species. Testerda}' (May 16th) I at last 

 came upon a spot where this insect {Empis opaca) occurred in some 

 abundance, along a rather high hedge bordered on either side by 

 sandy fields, at Lye Hill, near Cowley, Oxford. At 11.20 a.m. I 

 found a male with prey ; it was carefully boxed, without disturbance, 

 so that the manner of holding the victim might be studied. Through 

 the glass-bottomed box it could be seen that the prey was held by the 

 two intermediate legs, both anterior and posterior pairs and the pro- 

 boscis also being quite free. I afterwards noted the same in other 

 individuals seen at rest. Numbers of both sexes were observed 

 sitting about upon the low herbage, but not one was seen to move ; 

 for a strong cold wind was blowing down the hill, making the 

 conditions very unpleasant. After waiting some little time I moved 

 off to try and find the species in a more sheltered place, but after 

 more than an hour's fruitless search I returned to the original spot. 

 It was now about 1 p.m. and the weather had improved, the sun being 

 fairly bright. I soon saw that the Empids were now on the move, 

 and at 1.5 p.m. bad the satisfaction of witnessing a male (with prey) 

 pair with a female. The actual pairing took place in the air, after 



