1805.] 85 



Aspidiofus zonatus may be quite as cagei-ly sought for as the 

 Asterodiaspis, but it is a much rarer species. High Legh is the only 

 known habitat in Cheshire, and this locality is many miles from where 

 the blue tit (Parus coendeus) had no doubt taken the insects. These 

 birds must have keen eyes to distinguish this species, for it is well 

 protected both in colour and texture. The central red-brown speck 

 in the scale is the only indication of its presence, and altogether it 

 may be considered the best protected of any of our British Coccidcs. 



Mytilaspis pomoriim. — Although only four specimens of this in- 

 jurious species were found, I am fully convinced that it is readily 

 devoured by birds. Many times have I seen, with the aid of field- 

 glasses, the tree-creeper {Oertliia familiaris) collecting this species 

 during winter and spring ; and from what I have seen of the marsh 

 tit {P. palustris) and the blue tit (P. cceruhus), they, too, are fond 

 of the species. One has only to examine a tree infested with this 

 " scale " to find, in very many instances, only the white mealy outline 

 of the insect on the bark. To get such a result the scale must be 

 removed by some agency, and I am pleased to credit it to our feathered 

 friends, the useful tits and the tree-creeper. 



Asterodiaspis quercicola. — I firmly believe this species is eagerly 

 sought for by various species of tits. Here, in Cheshire, the charac- 

 teristic little depressions made in the twigs of the oak by this species 

 are to be found in thousands. Earely is it that the Goccids are found 

 in thern. This fact, for many years, led me to suspect the birds had 

 taken them. It was not until lS9-i that the matter was placed beyond 

 doubt. The May record is of the greatest interest, as at that time 

 there would be a good selection of bird-food. It proves, therefore, 

 that the species is a selected item in the dietary of two species of 

 birds. 



Lecanium genevense. — This was one of the earliest species which 

 came under my investigation when first I became a student of the 

 Coccidce. At that time a large colony of these insects infested a short 

 thorn hedge, growing hard by a city foot-path leading to this Museum, 

 where they afforded every opportunity for investigation. The hatching 

 of the larvae, the hibernation of the young ?, and the emergence of 

 the ^ in May, went on without any apparent losses. But when 

 the females had become fat and plump, and ready to lay their eggs, 

 then it was that they began rapidly to disappear, until very few 

 remained. At first I could not account for the loss, but one day a 

 small flock of sparrows {Passer domesticus) were busily engaged in 

 the hedge- row, and as I saw them subsequently in the same place I 



