SCIENCE- G OS SI P. 



61 



Spider Devouring Young Snake. — We have 

 received some photographs of natural history sub- 

 jects from a correspondent, one of which we 

 here reproduce. Mr. Jones says : — The head and 

 fore part of the snake were reduced to pulp, and 

 may be seen underneath the spider. There had 

 probably been a sharp tussle between the two. 

 Witness the three or four bites in the tail of the 

 snake. The spider, however, was unhurt. When 

 found it was on the leaf shown, and some ten 

 centimetres above the surface of the ground. 

 Whether the snake had crawled there or the 



came from some starlings which had their nest in 

 the gable of the house. The notes were most 

 perfect, but had a far-away sound. — H. McArthur, 

 The Dormitory, Stornaway, Isle of Lewis, June 9th. 



DlPTERA NEAR London.— The number of insects 

 in the country immediately surrounding large 

 cities is far greater than might be supposed, and I 

 would suggest that, with the co-operation of those 

 who may care to assist in the scheme, a list be 

 compiled this summer of the diptera to be found 

 in the environs of London ; I should include 

 such collecting grounds as Wimbledon Common, 

 Epping Forest, Richmond Park, and the whole of 

 the country south of London as far as Croydon. 

 Or we might draw a circle with a fifteen-mile 

 radius from the centre of London, say Charing 

 Cross, and include all species found within this 

 area. If but five or six collectors could be enlisted, 

 a very good list, which would serve as a basis, 

 might be compiled, each collector working the 

 country thoroughly in his immediate neighbour- 

 hood for one summer. Personally, living at Brix- 



Si'ider Devouring Young Snake. (Photographed bii E. Duckinfield Jones.) 



spider was hauled up it is impossible to say. 

 The photo is life size and was taken at Castro, 

 Parano, Brazil. April 1st, 1901.--J& Bv cliinfield 

 Jones, Castro, Estado do Parana, Brazil, April 9th. 



Imitation by Starlings.— For some time past 

 I have heard the note of the curlew in the early 

 morning, apparently while flying high over the 

 house, and have also noticed the cry of the lap- 

 wing. Though I have kept a sharp look-out when 

 travelling about this island I have not seen these 

 birds. Yesterday morning while busy indoors I 

 heard continually the notes of both birds and went 

 out several times, but there was no sign of either 

 curlew or lapwing. After a time I found the notes 



ton, I would undertake a good survey of Norbury, 

 Streatham, Thornton Heath, and Croydon, I 

 could start the list with about two hundred 

 species actually taken by myself at various periods 

 in or near London, and I would be pleased to do 

 my best to identify the captures of others who may 

 care to assist. In Robineau Desvoidy's work on 

 the diptera of the environs of Paris nearly a 

 thousand species are mentioned, and though a 

 large number have been sunk as Synonyms it is 

 certain that many hundreds of true species remain. 

 There is no reason to suppose a less number of 

 species exist around London, so perhaps one or two 

 of your numerous readers might care to join. — 

 E. Brunetti, 11 Mostyn Road, Brixton. 



