The Zoologist — February, 1868. 1071 



through one sees dozens of fine oak trees with the sap flowing from 

 the infected parts. 



In August I found many larvae of Smerinthus Populi, Cerura 

 vinula, Saturnia pavonia-minor, and, later on, Notodonta drome- 

 darius. 



In the woods I have frequently seen huge white Fungi- growing 

 from the limbs of the birch trees : this is Polyporus betulinus, which, 

 when dry and cut into thin slices, makes a good substitute for cork in 

 lining the drawers of an insect cabinet. 



Crossbill. — On the 5th of September I saw a small flock of crossbills 

 flying over the trees at Cluny Hill, but the great mass of these birds 

 are not seen near the grounds here until the larch-cones are ripe. On 

 the 15th of October I spent the day in Altyre Forest, along with the 

 head keeper, and although we looked diligently for hours we neither 

 saw nor heard them. The keepers say that some days they see them 

 by hundreds. The owner of a timber sawing-mill also informed me 

 that he has frequently caught them with a sieve and string. On the 

 27th (Sunday) I heard, in the Cluny grounds, the well-known ringing 

 call-note of this bird, and saw a flock of ten pitch into some larch- 

 trees, and busy themselves in separating the seeds from the cones. 

 Being anxious to have a specimen I was sorely tempted to take out 

 my gun, but, knowing the prejudices of the people, refrained from 

 doing so, hoping to see them the next day. The next morning before 

 breakfast I took out my gun, and soon procured three fine males, all 

 more or less red, one particularly so. I had to leave Forres a few 

 days afterwards, which was annoying enough, for I had a wish to 

 study more closely the habits of this interesting bird. I am told they 

 remain about the grounds at Forres all the winter. 



NoctuidcB. — During September and October I tried the plan of 

 sugaring trees for moths- and although the pages of the ' Zoologist' 

 (alas !) are no longer open for the announcement of insect captures, 

 I trust the small list of Noctuidse found in the locality will not be 

 deemed unworthy of insertion. 



Hydrcecia uictitans. Once or twice at suga*. 

 „ micacea. One at light. 



Xylophasia polyodon. Abuudaut at sugar. 



Charaeas gramiuis. Abundant on ragwort. 



Luperina testacea. Occasionally at sugar. 



Agrotis valligera. One at sugar. 



„ suffusa. Not unfrequent at sugar. 



