90 FLIES FOR MAY. 



No. 20. THE BLACK GNAT. 



This insect skims the brook all day long in 

 immense crowds, flying at great speed for about 

 ten yards up and down the stream. When night 

 approaches, or on cold wet days, it may be found 

 on the grass at the water side. The stomachs 

 of Trout have been found nearly gorged with this 

 fly. It is in season from the beginning of May 

 until the end of June. This is not a Gnat 

 (Tipulidos), but a Midge (one of the Empidai). 



IMITATION. 



Body. Black ostrich herl. 



Wings. The dark part of a feather from the 

 starlinsf. 



Legs. A black hackle. Hook, No. 0, or 1 , 

 short. 



To make it buzz, a light dun hen hackle may 

 be wound upon the above body ; and thus made, 

 it kills decidedly best. 



Eemarks. There is another imitation of the 

 Black Gnat, of which Grayling are very fond. 



Body. Black ostrich herl. 



Wings and Legs. The purplish breast feather 

 of a cock starling, wound on hackle-wise. 



The Black Midge should be made like the 

 icinged imitation of the Black Gnat, but with the 



