Insects. 1505 



NATURALIST'S CALENDAR FOR NOVEMBER. 



Birds. — In this month vast flocks of ducks and geese arrive on our shores; the 

 gray-lag goose (Anser cinereus) is now become very scarce, and but few specimens are 

 met with. In sharp winters the pink- footed goose (Anser brachyrhynchus) is not un- 

 common, but is often confounded with the bean goose (Anser segetum). The brent 

 goose (Bernicla Brenta) seems principally to frequent the eastern, and the bernicle 

 (Beinicla leucopsis), the western shores of Britain. The equatorial movement of all 

 the birds is completed, and they remain stationary, till the return of spring again urges 

 them to return northwards, and disperse during the breeding season. 



Insects, — Are now becoming scarce, but some may yet be found. The little win- 

 ter moth (Cheimatobia vulgaris) is found in profusion in gardens, and along white- 

 thorn hedges ; and the beautiful and variable umber moths (Hibernia defoliaria, and 

 H. aurantiaria) are not uncommon in woods, and may often be seen resting upon the 

 trunks of trees. The female of the former is quite apterous ; that of the latter has 

 rudimentary wings. They continue to appear till the end of the year. Pcecilocampa 

 Populi, frequently called the " December moth," now appears, and the males very of- 

 ten enter houses, attracted by the light. Petasia cassinia may sometimes be met with 

 in the same way, but is far more uncommon. Many Coleoptera may be found at the 

 roots of trees, and among moss: the minute species are easily detected, by shaking the 

 moss over white paper. Many pupae of Lepidoptera may also be found by digging 

 carefully round the roots of trees, but numbers are destroyed by shrew mice. Now is 

 also the best time to search for the cocoons of the smaller species oiCerurce, as they are 

 very frequently destroyed by something during the winter, apparently mice. The co- 

 coons of Cerura furcula are mostly found upon the trunks of the various willows ; 

 those of C. bifida upon aspens and other species of poplar. — Henry Doubleday ; 

 Naturalist's Almanack for 1845. 



Occurrence of Argynnis Lathonia near Norwich. — Two good specimens of Argyn- 

 nis Lathonia have been taken, and others seen at Harleston, near this place. — Chas. 

 Muskett, Norwich, October 9th, 1846. 



Occurrence of Argynnis Lathonia near Dover. — A friend of mine, Mr. Greenwood, 

 of Chelmsford, has captured three specimens of Argynnis Lathonia near Dover this 

 autumn. — J. J . Weir ; 17, Grosvenor Park, Camberwell, September 21st, 1846. 



Capture of Apatura Iris at Poynings. — In the early part of July I took a fine male 

 specimen of Apatura Iris at Poynings, about six miles from Brighton. At first I no- 

 ticed it flying very swiftly about a cottage, but at length it settled in a ditch, where I 

 captured it. — Jo{m N. Winter ; North Walls, Winchester, September 5th, 1846. 



Occurrence of Vanessa Antiopa near Lincoln. — I have just received a letter from 

 a friend, who informs me that he captured a fine specimen of Vanessa Antiopa in 

 his garden at Lincoln, in August last. — W. F. Evans ; Admiralty, Sept. V7th, 1846. 



Capture of Vanessa Antiopa at Camberivell. — A specimen of Vanessa Antiopa was 

 taken on the 12th inst. in a garden at Heme Hill, Camberwell, flying in company 

 with V. Atalanta, but was unfortunately injured in capturing. — W. J. Wild, East 

 Duhvich, Sept. 18th, 1846. 



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