SA TYRID.E. 233 



objection to stormy weather. It is a conficlent, and rather 

 fearless, species, and not destitute of curiosity. When dis- 

 turbed from a favourite resting place, or a bramble blossom, 

 it will fly lazily towards and over the intruder, and inspect 

 him, then after a flit round will often return to the same or a 

 similar resting place. 



Abundant in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, and 

 Gloucestershire as well as in Wales, also common in the New 

 Forest and in other wooded parts of Hants and Surrey. In 

 Wiltshire, Mr. Meyrick says : " Twenty years ago it was 

 common in most woods round Eamsbury and Marlborough ; 

 any one entering a wood at the proper seasons would see half 

 a dozen flitting about the drives. It became gradually scarcer 

 and now seems extinct. During the four years since my 

 return to England neither I, nor any of the numerous active 

 collectors at Marlborough College, have seen a single speci- 

 men. The woods are quite unchanged in character, collectors 

 are not i-esponsible for the disappearance, and I can suggest 

 no explanation." In Sussex, Mr. J. Jenner Weir says that 

 it is yearly becoming more rare ; in his youth it was common. 

 In Esses, though still found in many places, it has quite dis- 

 appeared from round Colchester. In Yorkshire, where it is 

 not common, it has also disappeared from some places ; the 

 same appears to be the case in Lancashire ; and about Hartle- 

 pool, Durham, where it used to be found, it has not been seen 

 for thirty years. In Norfolk and the Fen districts it is 

 scarce, only occurring in a few woods ; and throughout the 

 midland and northern counties it may be said to be extremely 

 local, though probably there is no county in England and 

 Wales in which it does not occur. Local and not common 

 in Scotland, very rare in the north. Sir Thomas Moncrieff 

 recorded it as scarce at Moncriefi" Hill, Perthshire ; Mr. W. 

 lleid says that two have been taken at Hazlehead, Aberdeen- 

 shire ; and it has been found at Knapdale, Argyleshire. In 

 Ireland much more plentiful ; indeed, Mr. E. Birchall stated 

 in his list (18G7) that it was then abundant throughout the 



