ON BRITISH OAKS. ail 
starlings, and other small birds, which have in previous years 
attacked the blight on its first appearance ; and, as each bird will 
consume a large number of grubs daily, the plague was formerly 
much checked at the outset. The severe weather of last winter 
undoubtedly killed large numbers of these birds, and the cater- 
pillar was consequently almost unmolested.” In this statement it 
is curious to observe that in the writer’s opinion the severe winter 
of 1880-81, although it killed the birds, could have had no effect 
on the insect, and this is another testimony against the theory of 
a mild winter. Of the five seasons in which the blight was preva- 
lent, namely, 1831, 1848, 1864, 1881, and 1888, two were preceded 
by severe winters, namely, 1830 and 1880. As to birds being able 
to cope with this plague, I have to observe that in 1888 they 
forsook the woods entirely, and it was even said that the rabbits 
also did so. No living thing would care to be enveloped in such 
an annoying network of web. 
Several species of the large family of Geometrina, or “mea- 
surers,” so called from their progressing by looping themselves up 
and then extending their whole length as if measuring, are to be 
found on the oak, and assist the Z'ortrices in their depredations. 
The other Z'ortrices besides the Vortrix viridana which infest 
the oak are— 
Chloephora Prasinana. 
Pe Quercana. 
Lozotenia Sorbiana. 
Sulvana. 
es aylosteana (common). 
Ptycholoma Lecheana (common). 
Hedya dealbana, 
Dictyopteryx Leflingiana. 
Pecilochroma corticana. 
Ephippiphora argyrana (on the bark), 
Tortricodes hyemana (very common). 
Of the Deltowles family only one is found on the oak, namely, 
Herminia barbalis; and of the Crambites there are three, namely, 
Acrobasis consociella (not common). 
Me tumedella (not common), 
Nephopteryx Roborella (not common). 
For further information on the subject of Lepidoptera the 
student is referred to “ Stainton’s Manual.” 
