CAPTURES AND FIELD REPORTS. 163 



Notes fkom the Chester District for 1904. — Contrary to the 

 predictions of certain, or, more accurately speaking, uncertain weather 

 prophets, the summer of 1904 turned out to be sunny, warm, and 

 enjoyable. The months of June, July, and August had especially high 

 temperatures and clear atmospheres, and August 4th, when Londoners 

 sweltered in 91° (shade reading), had the distinction of being the 

 hottest day for four years. As usual, the weather became unsettled 

 about August 12th, summer returning towards the end of the month. 

 It was an especial matter of interest to me to see if the two previous 

 cold wet summers would have any appreciable effect on the numbers 

 of the butterflies. The following species were conspicuous by their 

 absence, either as larvns or imagines : — Vanessa in (I saw none). — V. 

 urticaz (I do not remember seeing one). — V. atalanta was represented 

 by a few specimens. Mr. J. Thompson took five larvas and one pupa 

 off nettles just outside Chester. One of the butterflies was seen, 

 September 11th, in the Grosvenor Park ; one in Delamere Forest, 

 August 30th ; two in Delamere Forest, September 10th ; and I saw 

 six feeding on heather-bloom, September 17th, in the same locality. 

 I did not see V. cardui at all. But, as all other butterfly species of the 

 district seemed up to their usual numbers, it was evident that the 

 failures in Vanessidre could hardly be attributed to the two preceding 

 seasons. Much more likely are they due to the growing practice of 

 cutting down almost every available nettle and thistle, just when the 

 larvaB are most dependent upon these food-plants. 



Electric lamps were almost a failure — certainly not worth working. 

 My best capture was an example of Cirrhcedia xerampelina, August 30th. 

 Several specimens of Sphinx convohndi were taken in September. In 

 connection with moths being attracted by light, it may be worth 

 recording that a Plusia gamma flew iuto a farmhouse during a fall of 

 snow on the night of November 21st. 



I will only mention the most interesting moths that I obtained in 

 various localities : — Sesia scoliiformis. I was well within striking dis- 

 tance of a fine fresh female at rest on birch in Delamere Forest, June 

 4th. Although it was a good shot for the net, I unfortunately missed 

 it. This is, to my knowledge, the second specimen seen in Delamere 

 Forest. — Chcerocampa porcellus. A freshly emerged specimen netted by 

 Mr. J. Thompson at flowers of white campion, Delamere Forest, on the 

 night of June 17th. — Rusina tenebrosa. Common in Delamere Forest 

 in June. All specimens melanic forms. — Hepialus.velleda var. carnns 

 (almost unicolorous brown, markings indistinct). One, Delamere 

 Forest, July 8th. — P. iota. A melanic specimen, Delamere Forest, 

 July 8th. — IStilbia anomala. One, the Leet, Valley of the Alwyn, 

 Denbighshire, July 30th. — Acidalia dilutaria, Hiibn. Previously 

 recorded in the district by Gregson only. One netted by me in Dela- 

 mere Forest on the night of July 8th. — A. aversata. A rosy-brown 

 form blotched with darker instead of bands on the upper wings, Dela- 

 mere Forest, July 1st. — Emmelesia decolorata. Plentiful about Chester 

 and in Delamere Forest, June and July. — Boannia repandata. A black 

 specimen taken near Chester, July 5th. — B. rhomboidaria. A melanic 

 form taken near Chester, August 2nd. It laid a number of red eggs. 

 (The eggs of B. repandata are dull green.) — Hypsipetes elutata. A 

 beautiful green form (upper wings), August 4th. — Pericallia syringaria. 



