30 



" Summary of Evidence in regard to a Collective Inquiry as 

 to Progressive Melanism in Lepidoptera," prepared by L. 

 Doncaster (" Ent. Record," 1906, p. 165) ; and Dr. T. A. Chap- 

 man's note on Hastula hycrana, which is appearing, with plate, 

 in the " Entomologists' Monthly Magazine " (" Ent. Mo. 

 Mag.," 1906, p. 243, etc.) The papers are largely collations of 

 observed facts, and should be carefully perused by all who 

 take an interest in the question of melanism. 



During the year some additions have been made to the 

 lists of the British Fauna, and some few rare species have 

 been noted : 



Scomber thunnina (Cuv.), a fish of the mackerel family, is 

 added to our list, by the capture of an example off our Norfolk 

 coast in July last. 



With regard to birds, a specimen of the greater yellow- 

 shank {Tot anus mclanolcucus) was shot in the Scilly Isles in 

 September last, and is believed to be the first recorded 

 instance of the species, not only in Britain, but in any part 

 of Europe. 



Two rare visitors have also been noted — namely, the 

 common bee-eater {M crops apiaster), of which a specimen was 

 secured in the Scilly Isles within the last few weeks ; and 

 the flamingo {Phcenicoptcrus roseus), of which an example was 

 shot in Suffolk in August last ; but there is some doubt as to 

 whether this individual may not have been an escape, 

 although the species has very occasionally been found in 

 Britain. 



But it is among the insects that the greatest number of 

 additions are to be expected, and the past year with its forty 

 odd records is well up to the average of its immediate pre- 

 decessors, both as to number and importance of species, and 

 from among them may be mentioned — 



Ccratopliyllus insularis, a flea new to science, identified and 

 named by the Hon. N. Charles Rothschild from a single 

 male example, taken by Dr. N. H. Joy from a hollow tree 

 near Reading ; but as the hole from which it was taken had 

 been occupied consecutively by a woodpecker, an owl, and a 

 starling, further search will be necessary to ascertain which 

 of the three birds should be regarded as its host ("Ent. Mo. 

 Mag.," 1906, p. 59). 



Coleoptera accounts for some nine additions, including 

 one species new to science, Euplcctus tomlini, of which Dr. 

 Norman H.Joy took several specimens from an old starling's 

 nest (" E. M. M.," 1906, p. 99). His systematic search of 

 the nests of mammals and birds also added Qucdius vc.xans, 



