270 THE entomologist's UECOlin. 



Various Tipvlidae and Trichoptern have also been in considera])le 

 nunbers. — A. J. Hodges, 2, Highbury Place, London, N. 



An ENTOMOLOGICAL TRIP TO FoRKES, N.B. — Notwithstanding 

 the fact that Forres is considered one of the driest localities in 

 Scotland, the miserable atmospheric conditions that prevailed over 

 the greater part of the kingdom this year penetrated even there, 

 rendering each day during our visit more or less moist and un- 

 pleasant. Having had a foretaste of what we might expect before leaving 

 London, we arrived on Thursday, Aug. 2nd. at 11 a.m., in the midst of 

 a miserable drizzle, accompanied by a cold N.E. wind, armed with family 

 " gamps " and waterproofs. Arrangements had been made with Mr. 

 Eeid, of ritcaplo, to meet us on our arrival, but through a misunder- 

 standing as to the dates, he was not there, so we had to drive 

 disconsolately to our lodgings. Finding, however, that everything had 

 been arranged for our comfort, our spirits considerably revived, 

 and, after a substantial luncheon, the rain having cleared off pro. tern., 

 we determined to have a look round our new ground and plan where 

 we should commence operations. Our ardour was considerably damped 

 by the general outlook, every likely hunting ground appearing to be 

 at a considerable distance from the town of Forres. We therefore 

 determined to rest until the following day, and to make enquiries as to 

 the whereabouts of already published localities, such as Altyre Woods, 

 Culbin Sands, etc. I will now put our experiences in diary form : — 

 Aiuj. Srd. — Bright morning, sunshiny and warm, started for Altyre 

 Woods, about 2 Scotch miles from Forres. On arrival there, we got 

 about half-an-hour's searching and secured about 2 doz. Erehia atJiiops, 

 when down came the rain, and we had to beat a hasty retreat, kill our 

 first captures, and " wait till the clouds rolled by." Went out again 

 after dinner, saw Vanessa urticce on the wing and larvae on the nettles. 

 Went to station to meet our friend Mr. Arthur Home of Aberdeen, 

 from whom I knew I should get all particulars as to where to work 

 until Mr. Keid's arrival. Tea over, we trimmed our lamps and filled 

 our "sugaring" tins, fully expecting to do grand work. Alas! our 

 expectations were sadly disappointed, as when we had well sugared 

 the trees over the Noctna depmncta ground, we sat down to have a happy 

 chat over the pros and cons of the season, when down came the rain 

 in torrents which we faced for a considerable time until it was dark 

 enough for us to examine our " sugar." Not a single insect, and in 

 most instances our sweets completely washed off the trees. So much 

 for our first night's work ; we went home, if not wiser, certainly wetter 

 than when we started, vowing vengeance, however, on oet/n'ops the 

 following morning. Aug. 4:th. — Slight rain in the morning but looking 

 as if it would clear, we started in good time for Altyre Woods 

 accompanied by Mr. Home ; rain gradually increased until by the time 

 we arrived there it was coming down fast, ^thiops was out of the 

 question, so had to be content with 1 Larentia olirata, at rest, and 

 having the ground pointed out where I might get larva? of Endrornis 

 rerslculor and Enpitliecia toijata. We then hurried back to the station, 

 where my friend got an early ti"ain to Aberdeen, trusting to find better 

 weather there. Sugar absolutely blank ; we caught on the wing at 

 dusk TJiijatijra btiiit^, Plus/a pulchrina, and a few common things. 

 Av<j. (itli. — Bright morning, E. ceth'ops very plentiful in Altyre 

 Woods, but getting worn owing to the heavy rain. Some nice 

 forms of L. olivata and Hypsipetes sordidata. Sugar still useless. 



