254 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



large tuft of hair-grass (Deschampia flexuosa), which grows abun- 

 dantly on the moor, mingled with the common heather, now in 

 full flower. I soon found that an unsually fine female Charceas 

 graminis was reposing, whilst several males flew in uncertain 

 gyrations round her; others were scurrying post haste to the spot, 

 attracted by the same cause, and the whole scene resembled 

 exactly what so often occurs amongst the Bombyces; but I was un- 

 aware till now that the female C. graminis possessed similar powers 

 of attraction. This moth has not been observed by me in this 

 locality before. It is, however, abundant this year, not only here, 

 but also in my field and grounds at Prestwich, not far distant, and 

 no doubt generally so in the neighbourhood; but it is, I believe, a 

 moth extremely capricious and uncertain in its appearance, and 

 may not be seen at all next year. — J. Cosmo Melvill; Prestwich, 

 August 23, 1884. 



Abnormal abundance of Agrotis segetum. — Throughout 

 the season I have noticed the unusual plenty of imagines of 

 Agrotis segetum in this district, and especially has this been 

 noticeable from the middle of August to the present time, when 

 it has invariably put in its appearance at sugar in considerable 

 force. Moreover, during the last month or so agriculturists have 

 been complaining of the injury done to the turnip crop by the 

 " grub." Having asked one of them for a few of these " grubs," 

 I very soon received a number of larva? of this species in various 

 stages of development ; also pupa?. In some localities the crow, 

 with unerring instinct, has been making short work of this "unde- 

 sirable tenant of the soil." The condition of imagines observed 

 at sugar within the last few days would indicate their recent 

 emergence ; and, judging of the number of full-grown larvae and 

 pupae now met with, there will probably be no lack of the moths 

 so long as moderately warm weather continues. — Edward A. 

 Atmore ; King's Lynn, September 22, 1884. 



Entomological Jottings from Chichester. — Almost the 

 first emergence in my breeding-cages this season was a fine male 

 Endromis versicolor, bred from a batch of Scotch eggs, obtained 

 from Mr. McArthur in May of last year. This specimen made 

 its appearance on February 14th, and was the only one that 

 came out. The remaining cocoons still feel heavy, so that I 

 hope they will give me some moths next year. On the same day 

 a Notoclonta dictaea was in the cage, and a few clays later, and 



