ORTHOPTERA OF NOVA SCUTIA—PIERS, 215 
eastern part of Annapolis County, and it is doubtless found 
throughout the entire province. 
Mecostethus gracilis (Scudder), 
A handsome species, apparently rare in this vicinity. Last 
year I was able to obtain but four specimens, all males. One of 
these was taken among long grass in a dry situation on the 
summit of Block-house Hill, Halifax, September Ist, 1895. The 
remaining three were captured in a damp, grassy place on the 
side of the road near Cow Bay Bridge, on October 2nd. The 
stridulating area on the wing of this species is large and pro- 
minent, and stridulation may be easily produced in the dead 
insect by moving the femora against the wings. The species 
has not hitherto been reported from Canada. 
Melanoplus femur-rubrum (De Geer). 
Red-legged Locust. 
This excellent flyer is common in Halifax County. It was 
also noted on the diked meadows about Windsor, and without 
doubt is abundant throughout the entire province. It is generally 
pistributed over Canada and the United States, occurring from 
the Atlantic to the Pacific and south to Central America. It is 
said to occur, however, only at certain suitable localities within 
its limits, a favourable amount of humidity being the chief cli- 
matic condition required. The species is closely related to the 
very destructive Rocky Mountain Locust (/. spretus)—the most 
terrible insect pest in America. It seldom, however, exhibits 
the migratory habits of the latter. ‘emur-rubrum no doubt 
does much damage throughout Nova Scotia, devouring field 
crops and other vegetation, and it should be destroyed whenever 
possible. The species was noted up to October 20th, 1895. 
Melanoplus atlanis (Riley). 
Lesser Migratory Locust. 
Apparently not common about Halifax, but at present very 
abundant on Sable Island. Next to M. spretus of the Western 
United States, this is the most destructive locust of North 
America, and the question of how to protect the country from 
