( 139 ) 



CAPTURES AND FIELD REPORTS. 



Collecting in the Norfolk Broads in 1893. — I spent nine daya 

 (July 26th to Aug. 3rd) of last season collecting in the Broads, the chief 

 object of my visit being to complete a series of Leucania hrevilinea (a few 

 specimens of which I had taken on a previous visit to the same locality in 

 August, 1889); in this I was very successful, the nights of July 25th, 

 26th and 27th producing some twenty specimens in alofiost perfect con- 

 dition, besides a number of worn examples netted and released after due 

 inspection. The field of operations consisted of large reed-beds stretching 

 alongside the River Bure ; part of these beds had been recently cut, and 

 on this cut portion one could walk without iiyuring or trampling down the 

 growing reeds. L. hrevilinea was accompanied by Tapinostola fulva in 

 varying shades of colour from pale grey to brick-red, occasional Noctua ruhi, 

 with Apamea leucostigma [fibrosa), and Ccenobia rufa [despecta) also put in 

 an appearance. Lithosia griseola and x&r. stramiiieola were also present, 

 with Epione apiciarla and Cidaria testata flitting round the alder bushes; 

 several Phihalapteryx vittata [svjnata] and Acidalia immutata were also 

 netted. On July 28th I rowed to Barton Broad (some twelve miles by 

 water), taking the requisite entomological iinpediiiienta in the boat with 

 me, for a stay of two or three days ; the weather was perfect, and the row a 

 most enjoyable one, the enjoyment being considerably enhanced by the 

 sight of occasional specimens ot Papilio nmchaon flying in the sunshine, 

 and sometimes lazily flapping across the river. The fens at Barton pro- 

 duced at night Celana haworthii, A. leucostigma, Calainia pkragmitidis, 

 Noctiia ruhi, Caradriiia g u ad ri punctata [cilbicularis), and T. fulva, in 

 more or less at)undance, but L. brevilinea was here apparently scarce, one 

 only being observed. C. haworthii and A. leucostigma were very partial to 

 the flowers of various grasses, also to the honeydew on the leaves of the 

 sallow bushes. Leucania impura also swarmed in the latter situation. 

 Chilo phragndtellus was plentitul, flying to the lamp with which I searched 

 the bushes. A long day's work amongst the " gladdous " Typha latifolia 

 and T- angustifolia brought many larvae and pupae of Nonagria arundinis 

 {typha) to light, but only three pupae of N. cannce. An evening spent 

 auunigst the reed-beds on Barton Broad found Paraponyx stratiotata in 

 abundance, also Hydrocampa nymphceata ; but one specimen only oi Nona- 

 gria iieurica was taken, at rest on a reed stem : this species was a great 

 disappointment; I worked hard, but could not find its head-quarters. In 

 the daytime Crambus selasellus was occasionally disturbed amongst the 

 grass alongside the numerous dvkes and ditches so characteristic of all fen 

 lands. Amongst the Tortrices I obtained, one afternoon, a beautiful series 

 of Terias caudana, by beating round an alder cair; accompanying these 

 were occasional specimens of Grapholitha penkleriana, Plioxopteryx siculana, 

 aud Phlceodes immundana. Eutomologisis accustomed to fen collecting 

 know the extraordinary eff"ect a slight chill in the atmosphere has upon fen 

 Lepidoptera; if there is even a slight mist rising over the level fen, you 

 may as well stop at home. One night 1 had a cuiious exemplification of 

 this fact: rowing down the river I observed the fatal mist creeping over 

 the fen, but, having started, I did not care to return at once, so landed and 

 lit the lantern as usual. Up to 10 o'clock the bag was two T. fulva only, 

 and these were taken at rest on the reed-stems ; not an insect moved where 

 the previous evening they had been flying in abundance. I was about 



