HOVERERS 127 



(Hsematopotapluvialis), Plate XI., Fig. 5, which, 

 as its Latin name indicates, is a blood-drinker. 

 It has a motionless flight, and the first indi- 

 cation of its presence is a sharp prick, as it 

 thrusts its proboscis into one's skin. It is 

 grey, the abdomen spotted with black, and its 

 wings variegated. A small but pretty fly, 

 without an English name (Leptis scolopacea), 

 Plate XI., Fig. 6, is found on tree trunks. Its 

 thorax is brown, and its abdomen yellow, with 

 brown spots. 



The hoverers are so remarkable in their 

 movements, that every one must have 

 observed them at some time. One notices a 

 fly poised motionless in the air, its wings 

 vibrating so fast as to be almost invisible. 

 One draws near to view more closely this odd 

 sight, and it is gone. He looks around, and 

 there is the fly, hovering in a new place, 

 motionless as before ! Two examples of these 

 interesting flies are shown. The Gooseberry 

 Hoverer (Syrphiis ribesii), Plate XI., Fig. 7, is 

 a handsome insect, orange and black, which 

 is common in gardens. The Transparent 

 Hoverer ( Volucella pellucens), Plate XI., Fig. 

 8, is black, with the upper portion of the 



