184 August, 



number of the same species. Six males were seen to give chase to 

 females as they were circling round, and in each case both male and 

 female were netted and the prey found in the net ; in one instance 

 the male retained possession of the prey, and walked up the side 

 of the net still holding it. One pair was captured in cop.^ the prey 

 being in possession of the female ; in another case two males were 

 seen simultaneously to give chase to the same female. All three 

 Empids were netted, and two insects captured as prey were found 

 lying in the bottom of the net. On one occasion a male was observed 

 to chase a female and to be repelled twice ; at its third attempt the 

 male was netted, and no prey was found in this instance. 



Visits were also made to the last named locality on the evenings 

 of June 30th, July 1st, 2nd, 4th, 6th and 7th, and on each occasion 

 many observations were made almost identical with those narrated 

 above. 



The above observations entirely confirm Mr. Howlett's conclu- 

 sions. The following interesting questions are raised : —(I) Hoes the 

 male of Empis livida devour prey, and if so, to what extent compared 

 with the female ? (2) Does the female obtain food independently of 

 that provided for her by the male, and if so, does she obtain it 

 before as well as after pairing ? (3) How does the male disable 

 or kill the prey which he provides for the female ? The facts here 

 recorded show that the prey carried by the male is usually dead or 

 motionless. 



Univei-sity Museum, Oxford 

 July 9th, 1908. 



