94 THE entobiologist's record. 



continued during my stay, while fine forms of T. comes tempted one to 

 take more than a slow setter could manage. So, varying forms of 

 T. comes were taken and supplied with a pot of jam, in order to obtain 

 ova for forcing during the dull months of winter. Noctua uvibrosa and 

 Chariclea umbra seemed to prefer ragwort, while forms of Hypsipetes 

 sordidata and Cidaria immanata made a pretence of settling on the 

 treacled trees. A night stroll inland on the 30th showed Chariclea 

 mnhra, Noctua umbrosa and Miana literosa with Eupithecia subfidvata 

 busy at flowers, while Ellopia prosapiaria, Melanippe vwntanata, and 

 Larentia olivata were on the wing. 



On July 31st, Erebia aethiops {blandina) was on the Aving in numbers 

 in the Altyre Woods, and a strip of rough ground between wood and road 

 on the way to Dunphail was alive with this butterfly. Common 

 Geometers — Larentia olivata, L. caesiata, Hypsipetes sordidata, Larentia 

 didymata, Ellopia prosapiaria, and Can)ptoyram,nia bilineata were 

 readily disturbed. From this date dusking amongst the alders or 

 shaking trees by day generally produced aberrations of Melanthia 

 bicolorata, viz., pltimbata and some other very attractive forms. 



An entomologist from a neighbouring county, coming to spend the 

 Bank Holiday week-end at Forres, the monotony of collecting alone 

 was broken. Together we climbed the giant spruce-trees in the Altyres, 

 for the cones containing larvae of Eupithecia toyata. The experience 

 that my chum and I had in 1902 was repeated. We could find no small 

 cone-bearing spruces, nor trees near the open, that swept the ground 

 with cone-covered branches. So we were compelled to attack the 

 giants growing thickly together, tall as church spires, with cones in 

 plenty, bvit only at the very top. This is capital collecting for the 

 ambitious; with luck and pluck, one arrives at last where only squir- 

 rels, crossbills, Eupithecia toyata, and Coccyx strobilella have been 

 before. Now clasp the trunk, which has become very delicate, with 

 both legs and one wrist, and while reaching all round for the cones 

 with the free hand, keep your weight as nearly to the centre as possible. 

 Do not trouble to labour at the cones where frass is not seen protrud- 

 ing, and if the whole green top snaps off, why then — you will never 

 collect E. toyata again. With raw wrists, scratched faces, dis- 

 arranged clothing, covered with grime and resin, a very few trees safely 

 circumvented, and we are ready to flop down on the cool, soft moss, too 

 interested in our own comfort to notice that we are crushing the "Lady's 

 tresses," which grows so luxuriantly here. [Philistines deep down in 

 the moss, think: — Lucky we wereoncebird-nesters. Glad we are not yet 

 too old to climb a good one. Grateful to those who do the indoor donkey 

 work, who furnish us with " Practical hints," and every possible 

 information, and expect nothing from us but an occasional locality, 

 date, or comparison, leaving us all our leisure for real enjoyment. 

 Shame that we are not ashamed to enjoy ourselves while others are 

 doing so much for posterity. Chacun a son gout.] This climbing experi- 

 ence was repeated two or three times during the month, and became 

 my measure of improving physical fitness. On August 7th, Citria 

 fulvayo and ab. flavescens, with intermediates, appeared at treacle, and 

 continued to the end of my sojourn. Next day, was made one of the 

 several visits to the Findhorn sand-hills, where the same insects were 

 taken, as at the Culbins, with the addition of one or two Agrotis 

 ayathina. Again no Triphaena subseqiia, no Actebia praecox. 



I 



