OBSERVATIONS OF GAD FLIES. 181 
‘Fliegen,’ previously quoted) the male also has a similar mark on a 
yellow band. Eyes golden-green, with purple spots, and hind border 
or stripe. Wings in the male almost entirely black or blackish-brown; 
in the female somewhat lighter, or occasionally lighter, with two large 
pale spaces, dividing the dark part into three patches, one at the tip, 
a much larger one across the wing just beyond the centre, and a 
smaller one at the base, these being joined by dark colour along the 
fore edge of the wing. 
Of this kind Dr. Schiner notes:—‘‘ Metamorphosis unknown ; 
according to Fabricius they live in larval condition in the earth. The 
flies are often found near water in great numbers, and cause much 
annoyance to men and animals by their very persevering attacks. The 
two sexes are very different in their markings.”—(Schiner, op. cit. 
vol. 1. p. 40.) 
On the 12th of May in the past year, in reply to some observations 
or enquiries of mine regarding prevalence of the Great Gad Fly in 
the New Forest, Mr. D. D. Gibb, of Ossemsley Manor Farm, near 
Lymington, Hants, to whom I was much indebted for information 
in the course of the investigations, favoured me with the following 
notes :— 
‘«‘ Your information as to the presence of the Great Gad Fly in the 
New Forest district is perfectly correct. Though not so plentiful as 
the Warble Fly, they are frequently too numerous to make themselves 
pleasant. I have seen a pair of horses, when at plough or harrowing 
in summer, have three or four of these flies upon them, you may guess 
with what result. Unless killed, horses become distracted by their 
blood-sucking propensities, and sometimes bolt with the plough at 
their heels. It is the combined attacks of these and other flies referred 
to which so terrify strange horses, and send cattle flying with tails in 
the air.”’ 
Some weeks later, on the 27th of June (after sending me specimens 
of various kinds of Gad Flies), Mr. Gibb mentioned :— 
‘«« Any number can be found similar to those sent. . . . Yesterday 
I observed starlings and wagtails following our cattle, and found they 
were catching Tabanide and other flies; the wagtails describing 
somersaults and other peculiar motions in their hunt. They are 
most invaluable birds as destroyers; I have seen them pursue their 
prey into the stable.” 
On the 6th of July Mr. Gibb sent me some further notes, which are 
interesting as showing the quantity in which the Tabanide appeared 
together with warm weather after rain, with some remarks as to 
relative amount of different kinds :— 
“Yesterday and to-day the weather is-very warm after the recent 
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