﻿NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS. 281 



September 4th, produced one Amathes litura, one T. pronuha, one 

 Amphipyra tragopogonis, and one beautifully fresh E. nigra — a 

 sample lot, but enlivened by the presence of the last-named species. 

 A second attempt on the 6th added another E. nigra, one fresh 

 M. brassiccB (second brood), and one A. ypsilon. Subsequent syste- 

 matic sugaring throughout the month was rewarded by the capture 

 of a fine series of E. nigra in bred condition ; about a dozen 

 A. ypsilon, an abundance of A. aprilina, E. satelliiia, A. litura, 

 A. helvola, G. lignea, C. vaccinii, A. circellaris, A. macilenta, M. 

 oxyacanthce, and var. capucina (some very dark) ; a few H. p)rotea, 

 A. lota, C. quadripiLnctata; three A. segetum, one A. exclamationis, 

 one P. chi, one N. c-nigrum, and one H. nictitans. Two specimens 

 of C. vetusta, and about a dozen C. exoleta were added in early 

 October. Agriopis aprilina varies considerably in the distribution 

 of the black on the fore wings — some are very dark and striking. 

 An interesting peculiarity of this species appears in the extreme and 

 permanent rigidity of the joints of the fore legs after death (pricked 

 with oxalic acid), making it a matter of considerable difficulty to 

 extend and set these limbs. The muscular development of the 

 femora is abnormal, but I have looked in vain for the reason. Other 

 insects killed in the same way were not affected. Among huodreds 

 of Gonistra vaccinii I was lucky to find two good examples of the 

 var. suffusa (Tutt), a form I do not remember noticing before. 

 Autumnal sugaring presents some difficulties, the chief being 

 (perhaps) the necessity of completing one's round well before 

 dusk. All the moths come in the first hour or so, and after that 

 may be looked for, not on the patches, but round the back of the 

 tree and higher up on the branches. We frequently saw them later 

 in the night as high as 12 ft. from the ground. 



The conditions that go to make a good night are still a mystery ; 

 a bright moon and cold north wind were not invariably found to be 

 detrimental to success, but the slightest touch of frost in the air was 

 fatal, and put an end to the flight. At this time of year, however, it 

 is possible to work in a couple of rounds and make a repectable 

 catch in the early part of the night before the frost air is felt. 

 Moths seem to anticipate an approaching storm, and an apparently 

 ideal night, precursory to a change in the weather, will prove un- 

 productive. The entomologist is not the only one to take toll of the 

 visitors to "sugar." Night after night bats could be seen circling 

 the baited trees, and several toads were observed actually standing 

 on their hind legs beneath the patches with an air of blissful 

 expectancy that was truly ludicrous. 0. dilutata appeared on 

 October 3rd, and was flying commonly by the 16th, when several 

 nice melanic females were taken. — Frank Littlewood ; 10, Aynam 

 Road, Kendal. 



Butterfly Collecting in Sicily and Calabria in 1911. — 

 The first week in May was very disappointing. My records are : 

 May 1st (Labour festa) dull and showery, with occasional slight 

 glimpses of rain ; the following day (May 2nd) began : " morning 

 bright and sunny, spring butterflies out, fine fresh specimens including 

 cyllarus and ritbi," and ended, " wet afternoon and evening." The 



