Insects. 1345 



NATURALIST'S CALENDAR FOR JUNE. 



Birds. — At this period of the year there is but little to notice among the birds : 

 most species are engaged in rearing their young, but occasionally a few of the winter 

 visiters remain on our coast up to this time, such as sanderlings, knots, &c, and of 

 course in full nuptial dress ; but they soon leave for their breeding stations in more 

 northern latitudes. Most of the warblers are silent towards the end of the month, and 

 but few of them sing much after the young are hatched. 



Insects. — In this month a very great variety of insects are to be met with. The 

 larger fritillary butterflies {Argynnis Paphia, Adippe and Aglaia) appear ; the two for- 

 mer frequenting woods, the latter preferring heaths and open places. The local 

 Melitcea Athalia is abundant in some of the woods round Colchester, where the white 

 admiral (Limenitis Camilla) also abounds. The elegant little blue butterflies {Poly- 

 ommatus Alexis, JEgon, and Adonis) may be seen abundantly in fields and heathy 

 places, the latter species principally on a chalky soil. The burnet moths (Zygcena 

 Trifolii, Filipendulce, and Lonicerce) come forth during this month. The first species 

 at the beginning, the second towards the middle, and the third at the end of the 

 month. This last species is more local than the others, but is abundant in some parts 

 of Huntingdonshire, and is to be found till the end of July. The rare lobster moth 

 (Stauropus Fagi) is sometimes to be met with resting upon the trunks of trees, and 

 many Noctuce may be found in similar situations. A large portion of the dragon flies 

 are now on the wing ; the beautiful blue-winged species (Calepteryx Virgo and Lu- 

 dovica) are common over streams, and Anax formosa, the largest European species may 

 be seen sailing over large ponds, where also Cordulia cenea, Libellula depressa, qua- 

 drimaculata, cancellata, &c, and many of the smaller species (Agrion) are to be found. 

 At this time numerous caterpillars of Lepidoptera may be found by beating the oaks 

 and hornbeams over a sheet or net, and other species concealed in the crevices of the 

 bark, such as those of Chariptera Aprilina, and the December moth (Pcecilophasia 

 Populi). — Henry Doubleday ; Naturalist's Almanack for 1845. 



Capture of Aeherontia Atropos at the Land's End. — On the 18th instant I had brought 

 to me a very fine Aeherontia Atropos ; it flew into a house, aud the people did not 

 know what it was. I have added it to my collection. I think, by the freshness of the 

 insect, it must have just emerged from the pupa. I should like to know whether any 

 collectors have taken it at this season of the year. — W. Noye ; St. Just, near Pemvith, 

 April 28th, 1846. 



Capture of Deilephila lineata, Fab. (Livornica, Esp.) — A male specimen of this rare 

 Sphinx was brought to me alive yesterday afternoon by a boy, who found it in remov- 

 ing the straw which is covered nightly over the new-made bricks in a field near 

 my house at Hammersmith ; he says there was another specimen precisely like it, 

 (probably the female) but before he could secure it, it flew away : unfortunately it is in 

 very bad condition, having been covered over with a sieve the whole of the day, it had 

 rubbed itself very much in endeavouring to escape. I think the early specimen of this 

 rare Sphinx forbodes an extraordinary season — also an abundant one, judging from the 



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