68 HOW TO COLLECT 



and in a lesser degree to Stratiomyidoi ; while at night many Daddy- 

 long-legs (particularly Limnohia) come to sugar. 



" Ordure. — Many Diptera are attracted by this — not only Scato- 

 'phagidm and Muscidw, but Diptera of famiUes which one would not 

 expect to see, the moisture being the probable attraction. 



^^ Living Animals. — Many species of ^'akmicZce and other families 

 are to be seen round living animals, but as a rule are not to be 

 caught, the exception being the Hippobuscidce, which can often be 

 taken with ease. It is seldom possible to catch flies round animals, 

 domestic or otherwise, with a. butterfly -net ; but occasionally they can 

 be caught with the hand, or boxed. 



^^ Dead Animals. — Carrion is sometimes very attractive, and many 

 rare species not met with elsewhere aie to be taken on it. Here 

 again the moisture is probably the attraction. A place where blood 

 has run over the ground is generally attractive, though, strange to 

 say, the wet mud and sand in river-l3eds, so attractive to butterflies 

 in the tropics, has no attraction for Diptera. 



^^ Other Attractions — Sioeep'mg — Beating. — Other attractions, such 

 as leaves, tree trunks, bare sandy places, etc., had perhaps better be 

 considered under the head of attractions to families. One method 

 of capture should not be omitted, however, and this is sweeping. 

 Many species of Acalypterate Musckke, and also mauy small 

 Syrphidce, which otherwise would probably be entirely overlooked, 

 may be taken in this manner. The best places to sweep over are 

 damp marshy spots, overgrown with rushes, flags, cotton-grass, etc. 

 Beating seldom repays, though Cyrtidce may now and again be 

 obtainable by this means only. 



" Habits of Various Families. — Syiykida^ (Ilover-flies, Drone- 

 flies, etc.). — For this family sunshine is absolutely 

 essential, and the majority will be found at flower 

 heads, in company with many species of Muscidcr.. 

 Some few, however (e.g. Xylota, Calliprohola, Brachy- 

 palpus), prefer leaves and tree trunks ; while species 

 LEucozoNA LucoRUM. i^gj^^^g'^^g ^q certalu genera {Pelecocera, Ifelanostoma, 



etc.) will probably be taken chiefly by sweeping. Many species of 

 iSyr2)hvs, Kristalis, etc., may be taken hovering in the air. 



