THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 137 



that of the white dead-nettle being yellow; of the red dead- 

 nettle, red; andof the ground ivy, white. Similar observations, 

 as to the constancy of insects in confining their visits to the 

 same species during the same journey, have been made by 

 that accurate observer, Mr. Traherne Moggridge, in respect 

 of a species of fumitory in the South of France. — Alfred IV. 

 Bennett ; 6, Park Village East, RegenCs Park. 



[At page 60 of the first volume of the 'Entomological 

 Magazine' is a review of Professor Rennie's "Alphabet of 

 Insects," from which it seems evident the writer did not think 

 professors infallible. 1 believe the fault then, as now, is to be 

 found in the fact that professors and teachers of all kinds 

 trust too much to books, and too little to observation. On the 

 other hand, I think there may be an error in relying too 

 exclusively on observation. Book-knowledge often serves to 

 test and to rectify observations too hastily made, and is 

 therefore of infinite value. — Edward Newman.'] 



A Parasite. — The different species of pheasants have some 

 most remarkable parasites infesting them, and indeed there 

 are iew, if any, members of the vast creation which are free 

 from the attacks of parasites in some form or another, I 

 recollect finding one of extraordinary size upon a kestrel, and 

 I may enumerate others, as the tiny brown creatures taken 

 from a hen harrier, or the white elongated forms of those 

 found on a sheldrake; however, I have no wish to generalize 

 in such a way, unless I knew what the various parasites 

 were, but I may mention one whose occurrence interested 

 me more than usual. In the autumn of 1873 I had a long- 

 eared owl sent me, and whilst inspecting it I fancied I saw 

 some insect make a hurried appearance upon the breast of 

 the bird, and as quickly shuflle out of sight amongst the 

 feathers. I searched most carefully, but without success, and 

 I had caught only a glimpse of the creature, which from its 

 movements I thought was not an Acarus, even had its size not 

 forbidden the belief, so I determined to secure it if possible, 

 and the following day, after another close scrutiny, I found it 

 under one of the bird's wings. It proved to be a Dipterous 

 fly, with body of a greenish hue, and is, I suspect, one of the 

 llippobosca genus, for in its side-long movements, its tena- 

 cious hold, and general outline, it seemed to proclaim itself a 

 relation of the '* forest-lly." I subsequently obtained two 



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