[January, 



.kragmUidis were sharing the feast, so that if not very profitable, 

 at all events our night was not without interest. It is curious that so 

 near as this piece of fen is to the haunts of N. Irevihnea yet that 

 species should appear to be wholly absent ; for I am persuaded tha the 

 sallows showed us a fair sample of the Noctu^ about, and N. hrev^l^nea 

 is well-known to be partial to this kind of banquet. Moreover, I had 

 one night there last year, when the weather was eminently propitious 

 for lamping, and saw none, though the next night it turned up on the 

 Bure fens close to Ant Mouth, and less than two miles off m a direct 

 line, with almost unbroken fen between the localities. I had on the 

 former occasion taken GelecUa palustrelU in some plenty here, and it 

 was that fact in part that decided us to try it now. The Geleclna, of 

 course, was absent, not wonderful on such a night, but it was more 

 noticeable to miss CharcBas graminis, which had simply swarmed betore 

 and I would fain have repeated my former capture of L. ohsoleta had 

 it been but (as then) an odd specimen. 



We all turned in pretty early, as there was really nothing to be 

 done when the attainable sallow bushes had been examined, for not a 

 moth was stirring after the first flight. 



Saturday, August 2nd. Up at 6, and made a start as soon as 

 possible for Irstead Shoals, which we reached in little more than halt 

 an hour. 



Such was our experience, nothing surprising, or of special interest ; 

 yet I have thought that, perhaps, to those ^ho have never seen a 

 " Broad," and have scarcely netted a " wainscot," a rambling narrative 

 such as this would give a more lively idea of the work and the locality 

 than any formal description. 



Should any beginner wish to try fen work, I would say— if he 

 wishes simply to make the largest catch possible— let him go to some 

 good locality, e. g., Horning or Eanworth, or possibly Hickling, and 

 stop there, working steadily every night, and all night long ; if, how- 

 ever, he wish to combine as much pleasure as possible with his sport, 

 let him hire a boat with fittings, so that he can sleep on board : a boat 

 whose draught of water is small enough to allow it to get up the; 

 dikes, and yet one roomy enough to hold plenty of baggage; and' 

 let him wander at his will in this labyrinth of rivers and " Broads," 

 exploring the great fen lands, of which only a small part as yet has 

 ever known the tread of the entomologist. 



The map accompanying this article may, perhaps, prove useful to( 

 future visitors to the district, and it indicates the several campings 

 places during our excursion. 



Paragon House, Norwich : 

 October, 1884. 



