64 FLIES. 



the Tabamis bovinus having a distinct horny head, 

 and the pupa being naked and incomplete (that is to 

 say, in some degree resembling the perfect Fly), it will 

 be seen that technically this family is nearly allied to 

 those of which the Tijmla (Fig. 37, p. 36) may be 

 taken as a type. But (as above mentioned) the points 

 under consideration, being the animals or plants 

 attacked, I notice the Gad Flies here together with 

 the other Cattle Flies. 



With regard to the habits of the genus Tahanus 

 whilst in maggot state, it is said by Dr. Kudolph 

 Schiner, one of the chief authorities on the Diptera: — 

 " The larvae live in moist earth, or in sand, or under 

 decaying leaves and stems in damp places. The Flies 

 are often found in cattle pastures, and by roads and 

 paths, where they rest on neighbouring trees, and lie 

 in wait for horses and cattle, to which the blood-suck- 

 ing females are very troublesome. The males also 

 frequent flowers, or hover, especially in the morning 

 and evening, by roads, in the sunshine." * 



As in this case it seems impossible to lessen attack 

 by destroying the maggots, the next best way of 

 saving the cattle from annoyance would appear to be, 

 moving them from pastures by streams, or such 

 localities as the Flies frequent, to more open and 

 dryer land, where the state of the ground would not 

 suit the Gad Fly maggots, and the Flies would not 

 find the trees which they love to lurk amongst. In 

 case of dressings being desirable to ward off infestation, 

 the same that are known to answer in the preventing 

 attack of Warble Fly would be useful. 



The large family of the (Estridce, popularly known 

 as Bot Flies, differ from the Gad Flies, mentioned 

 above, . entirely, in their method of doing harm, 

 inasmuch as, generally speaking, the mouth of the 

 Q^stridcB is uhsoletc, only represented by a few minute 



• ' Fauna Austriaca, Diptera,' vol. i., p. 29. (The grubs or maggots 

 are to be found in grass-land, especially where it is wooded, from 

 September until May.) 



