242 [November, 



indeed, it is one of the commonest of the birds' nest species, sometimes 

 being seen in numbers, accompanied by its larva. 



Gholeva colokotdes, Kr., is another very characteristic old 

 bird's nest species It used to be regarded as one of the rarest 

 British clavicorns, yet it is in fact probably quite a common species. 

 I have taken it myself on about eleven occasions this year, over 46 

 specimens from a small damp sparrow's nest, a^nd once, in any 

 quantity, among the debris in an owl's roosting place in a hollow oak ; 

 and Mr. Chitty has taken it in five of his nests. 



Neurapkes rubicundus, Schaum., I have twice before recorded 

 from old birds' nests, but have only once taken it this year in such a 

 situation. I think though that it is a late autumn species. 



EuPLECTus TOMLiNi, Joy, is probably peculiar to birds' nests, but 

 it has at present only occurred on one occasion. 



HiSTER MERDARius, Hoffm., is often taken in very damp and foul 

 nests, but may be found in any old nest. Mr. F. B. Jennings records 

 in the Ent. Mo. Mag., vol. xxxviii, p. 268, the capture of nearly 60 

 specimens of this species (in com,pany with Trox scaher, L., another 

 common bird's nest species) in a heap of decaying vegetable matter 

 and gas lime. The lime in this case probably made the rubbish heap 

 somewhat resemble an old nest soiled by the droppings of young birds. 

 This species was also taken in the old sack-heap in Sheppey, although 

 it is not mentioned by Commander Walker in Ent. Mo. Mag., vol. xli, 

 p. 234. These are of course quite artificial habitats, and probably the 

 beetle only accidentally visits carrion, &c. 



The GrNATHONCUS which I have taken on several occasions in 

 birds' nests differs from specimens of G. rotundatus taken in carrion, 

 and is undoubtedly a species peculiar to the nests ; I have not, 

 however, had time yet to hunt up the lengthy synonymy of G. rotun- 

 datus to see if it has already been described. 



The following species I regard as belonging to class B : — 

 Dendrophilus punctatus, Hbst., is found in almost any old nest, even if 

 it is quite dry. Trox scaler, L., is also very commonly met with. 

 Romalota nigricornis, Th., is always present if the nest is at all damp, 

 and often in great numbers. The following species have also been 

 taken on several occasions: — Aleochara succicola, Th. ; Microglossa 

 suturalis, Sahib, (only single specimens) ; Romalota fungivora, Th. ; 

 R. soror, Ku, (Bradfield and ? Huntiugfield) ; Quedius ventralis, 



