Chapter I. 



CRANE-FLIES AND GNATS. 



On plate 1 are shewn typical specimens of Crane- 

 flies (Tipulidce) and of Gnats (Chironomida), etc. 



In dressing Crane-flies it is as well to put a few 

 turns of stiff cock hackle about the thorax to stiffen 

 the wings and also to help the fly to float buoyantly. 

 An excellent imitation of their long legs may be made 

 by knotting the feather fibres as shewn on plate 1. 



The Crane-flies are exceedingly plentiful and various 

 in size and colour, although most of the larger ones 

 are of a brownish shade, and the distinguishing 

 characteristic of all of them is their long trailing legs, 

 this and their single pair of wings make the group 

 almost unmistakable. Although few of them have a 

 true aquatic history, many of them breed in damp 

 places, and are continually dropping on the water, or 

 alternatively touching the surface and rising a short 

 distance, particularly is this the case in windy weather, 

 when they are frequently on the water in hundreds. 



Many are seen on the water at times, lying with 

 their wings out-stretched, too exhausted to lift their 

 long legs from the surface. Some members of the 

 family are in evidence quite early in the season, the 

 largest come on about May, and continue to be seen till 

 the end of the season. 



