CAPTUKES AND FIELD REPORTS. 335 



alighted on my book whilst reading by gaslight at an open window at 

 Dulwich. Each of these three events took place between 9 and 10 p.m. — 

 R. M. Leake; 15, Alleyn Park, W. Dulwich, S.E. 



A Fortnight in S. Devon. — On Aug. Ist I started from home to join 

 my friend the Rev. E. C. Dobree Fox, for a fortnight's entomology on the 

 coast of S. Devon. The weather was delightful all the time, and we had 

 very fair success. Among oar captures were Lithosia caniola, Leucania 

 albipuncta, L. putrescens, Hydroecia nictitans, Caradrina amhigua, Agrotis 

 puta, A. saucia, A. obelisca, A. lucernea, Plusia featiicay Acontia luctuosa, 

 Gnophos obscurata, Acidalia marginepanctata (promutata), Aspilates ochre- 

 aria {citraria), Ligdia adustata, Larentia olivaia, Eupithecia subfulvata, E. 

 oblongata {centaureata)y E. pumilata, and Melanippe galiata. Common 

 moths were abundant, especially Leucania pallens and Agrotis exclamationis 

 and A. segetum. — F. C. Woodforde ; Market Drayton. 



Rare Noctu^ in the Isle of Wight. — I have much pleasure in 

 recording the capture of Leucania vitellina by Mr. John Hodges, at Fresh- 

 water, on September 8th; I saw the specimen shortly after capture, and 

 Mr. Hodges was kind enough to add it to my collection. I was fortunate 

 enough to obtain two specimens of Leucania albipuncta and four of Cara- 

 drina ambigua during my stay at the above-mentioned spot. — P. W. 

 Abbott; Four Oaks, near Birmingham, Oct. 6th, 1896. 



Captures at Lamp-light. — About 11 p.m. on the night of Aug. 8th 

 last, while sitting in my "lamp" room here with my friend Mr. W. R. 

 Ogilvie Grant, of the Natural History Museum, South Kensington, we 

 received a most unexpected and extraordinary visitor in the shape of a 

 skylark [Alauda arvensis). I need hardly say that, after being identified, 

 it was promptly released, and, unlike many moths under similar circum- 

 stances, it did not try a second visit. It was a dark still night and we were 

 taking a good many moths, though none of any note, Noctua rubi and 

 Pionea forjicalis furnishing nearly half the " bag." We imagine the bird 

 was disturbed from its roosting-place in the meadow below the house by a 

 movmg cow or sheep, and then, dazzled by the light in the window, was 

 compelled to fly towards it. I have captured bats, beetles, and other 

 " outsiders " at lamp-light before, but never a bird ! I have been taking 

 both Paraponyx stratiotata and Acentropus tiiveus at the light in the same 

 room. There is a small stream, now nearly dry, about two hundred yards 

 from the house, but no marshy ground or river-side vegetation for some 

 distance. I took altogether four A. niveus, three of them on one night 

 (August 12th), and four P. stratiotata. A Vanessa urtica came into the 

 room on the night of August 4th. I was rather surprised at this, but my 

 friend Dr. E. Wood, of Yalding, tells me that he has known one or two 

 of these butterflies to come to a light before now. — Savilk G. Reid 

 (Capt.); The Elms, Yalding, Sept. 1st, 1896. 



Acherontia atropos in England and Wales, 1896 : — 

 Berks. — I have had six pupae ot the above insect brought to me this 

 autumn, and have heard of many others being found. The previous records 

 in my note-book are three larvae, 1885 ; two pupae, 1889. — W. E. Butler ; 

 Haylmg House, Oxford Road, Reading. 



Cheshire. — During the last month live larvae and one pupa were brought 

 to this museum from various parts of Cheshire, and I learn from my friend 

 Mr. J. W, Roberts, of Barmouth, that several larvae have been taken in his 



