204 [Pobruai-y, 



MiaRATION OF INSECTS. 



BY EEV. CANOJf FOWLEE, M.A., F.L.S. 



The following notes have been kindly extracted for me by Mr. J. 

 Cordeaux from his reports on the Migration of Birds published for 

 the British Association. Mr. Cordeaux, who is the chief authority on 

 this subject in the kingdom, has kindly promised to obtain for me 

 further information regarding flights of Lepidoptera, &c., from the 

 various lighthouses and lightships with which he is in communication ; 

 he infoi'ms me that the collection oi: Lepidoptei^a taken by Herr Griitke 

 on Heligoland is extremely interesting, and would, probably, if 

 examined by an expert, revolutionize many of our ideas of distribution. 



The note given below from Heligoland is most interesting. If 

 we had any doubt as to the powers of flight possessed by insects, the 

 record " great numbers of Bombyx neustria east to west ; numerous 

 flights passing on," would serve to dispel it, when we remember 

 that after leaving the small island they have 500 miles of sea to 

 cross before reaching land ; nor is this flight by any means sur- 

 prising when we remember that small birds, like the gold-crested 

 wren, regularly make the same flight, and some far greater ones. 

 A short while ago Mr. Cordeaux showed me a small finch that had 

 struck against a lighthouse in the North of Scotland, which must 

 have come from Cashmere. If we reflect on these facts we shall see 

 that there is nothing very extraordinary in species flying across the 

 Channel ; the only wonder is that more do not come, although it is 

 probably a fact that many of the specimens of our ordinary species 

 are foreigners, and species that have not been acclimatized would have 

 no instinct to migrate. I hope, however, to be in a position to give 

 further information on the subject before very long. 



MiGEATioN Eepoet, 1884. 



Heligoland. — Mr. Gatke writes, " Niglit, July 2nd to 3rcl, thousands of Plusia 

 gamma ; 3rd, myriads of Dragon-flies ; night, 21st to 22nd, great numbers of Bomhyx 

 neustria, east to west ; 22nd to 23rd, the same ; 27th to 28th, numerous flights 

 passing on." 



Migration Repoet, 1885. 



Sappisburgh Lightvessel, Norfolk, June 7th, 4 p.m., S.S.E. (2) O.M. — " One 

 death's-head moth, caught alive, several small white moths and black flies rested." 



Languard Point LigJdhouse, July 4tli, 9.35 p.m. — "Millions of very small brown- 

 coloured flies pitched on lantern glass, and had to be washed off to keep the light 

 clear. They sting like a musquito. Wind S. (1), B.C.M." 



Hanois Lighthouse, Gvernseg, Sept. 13th, S.B., cloudy." — Silver gamma moth 

 all the evening round lantern. Sept. 22nd, S.E., B.C.V., 2 p.m., Ants flying past 

 lighthouse, some settled." 



