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88 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 
I have never used a “ Bignell” beating-tray for working 
sallows, but should think its shape very suitable. An inverted 
old umbrella, the larger the better, is most generalhy used, being 
portable, and not such back-aching work as the sheets. A man 
must be an enthusiast to work the latter for a whole season, 
especially if by himself, for the trouble of spreading, refolding, 
and carrying a generally wet sheet, would almost be punishment 
severe enough for a member of the Fenian “ inner circle.” 
Of the odd species to be found at sallow bloom one would 
hardly expect to find butterflies at night. We have, however, 
heard of Pieris nape falling, very drunk, and once of a Vanessa 
antiopa, but to hunt at night, and at sallows, for this rarity isa 
very roundabout and improbable way of getting it. A number of 
Geometre may be so obtained, but these are either more abstemious 
than the grosser Noctus, or are less susceptible to the nectar, for 
on shaking the bush they usually fly away, and seldom fall an 
easy prey to the collector; of them amongst oak, Eupithecia 
abbreviata is sure to occur. On occasions we may meet with 
hybernated Cidaria psitiacata and C. miata, or Scotosia dubitata. 
All the spring species of this division out at the time turn up now 
and then, and these include Lobophora lobulata, Cidaria suffumata, 
Anticlea badiata, and the very pretty A. derivata ; Aleucis pictaria 
has also occurred at sallows in Essex. Of Tortrices, the oak- 
feeding Sarrothripa revayana occurs, but generally worn; females 
of this species may be “sleeved” on oak boughs, in some place 
where they will not be disturbed, and so fine examples of the next 
generation obtained. 
If one arrives too early for the night-flying Lepidoptera, or 
wants work during the day, it is well to watch the bloom during 
sunshine for the wild-flying Brephos parthenias, or rarer B. notha. 
On dry days the catkins, which are getting over, should be shaken 
off and gathered for larve, which feed in them; these may be 
placed in a bandbox, over which muslin has to be stretched. 
This may be done by knocking out the lid, and placing the rim 
over the muslin. From these catkins a large number of species 
may be reared, such as Xanthia cerago, X. silago, Epunda vimi- 
nalis, Eupithecia tenuiata, &c. Again young shoots of sallow 
should be assiduously gathered, especially when spun together by 
some slight web. These need not be examined when collected, 
but if fresh food be added from time to time, so long as any larve 
