1898.] 233 



Langelandia anojphthalma, Aube, Sfc, at Broadstairs. — As I am not likely to 

 have another opportunity of taking Langelandia and its companion rarities in the 

 district where I first turned them up, it may be of interest to record the result of 

 my investigations in decaying seed potatoes in July of last year (1897). Staying 

 with the fi'iends to whom I had paid a previous visit {vide Ent. Mo. Mag., vol. xxxu, 

 p. 259), I again relieved the gardener of the task of lifting the early potatoes, and 

 spent several mornings in examining the decaying seed. The result was eminently 

 satisfactory, as I managed to take no less than 107 specimens of Langelandia, which 

 was more abundant than I have ever known it. So too was Anommafus 12-striatus, 

 of which over 80 specimens put in an appearance, while Oxytelus insecatus was 

 common, and Bathyscia Wollastoni tumbled out in dozens from almost every 

 potato. These four beetles are probably spread all over the surrounding district, 

 and it would be very interesting to learn whether other Coleopterists have succeeded 

 in finding them in the same way elsewhere. — Theodoee Wood, 157, Trinity Eoad, 

 Upper Tooting, S.W. : August ZOth, 1898. 



Sparrows and Mive Bees. — A curious case of the destruction of hive bees by 

 sparrows has lately been brought under my notice, and I think it is worthy of record. 

 A friend of mine residing at Keigate finds that the sparrows in his garden kill a 

 considerable number of his bees. The birds alight somewhere in the neighbourhood 

 of the hive, and as the bees fly in and out dart at them and seize them much in the 

 same way as a flycatcher seizes flies. He has lost so many bees in this way that he 

 is obliged to keep the sparrows down by shooting them. I should be glad to learn 

 if this habit has been observed in sparrows by others. — Edwaed Saundees, St. 

 Ann's, Woking : September 13fk, 1898. 



Mecostethus grossus, L., in the New Forest. — Towards the end of July and early 

 in August this large grasshopper could be obtained in fair numbers if diligent search 

 was made for it in any of the bogs around Lyndhurst and Brockenhurst. I noticed 

 that although we tramped well over the ground during dull weather, or when the 

 sun was obscured by clouds, very seldom was one of this grasshopper to be found oil 

 the move ; but as soon as the sun shone out brightly it was easily disturbed, being 

 borne along with wings extended in the direction of the wind, at times a single 

 flight covering a distance of thirty or forty feet ; whenever they flew against the 

 wind the flight was of a much shorter length. The female does not take to the 

 wing as readily as the male, but when it does the flight is much stronger and more 

 rapid ; being a much larger insect it is rather a conspicuous object on the wing. I 

 had no difficulty in taking a fairly long series. — James J. F. X. KiN&, 207, Sauchie- 

 hall Street, Glasgow : September, 1898. 



Bittacus Sageni, Brauer, in WallacMa. — During his recent tour in Eastern 

 Europe Mr. Malcolm Burr took one example of a Bittacus at Comana, Wallachia, 

 on July 12th, that proves to be B. Sageni, $ . This species is still little known. 

 It was discovered at Stockerau, Austria, by Dr. Brauer, in August, 1860 ; subse- 

 quently it was found at Hoym in Saxony ; I took a single example at Eonquieres in 

 Belgium on July 19th, 1881 ; and I believe M. Poujade found it at St. Cloud, near 

 Paris, according to an old note published by me, but which I should now like to 

 confirm. — R. McLachlan, Lewisliam, London : September \^th, 1898. 



