358 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



Snipe, Long-eared Owl, and Green Woodpecker. Stenopteryx hirun- 

 dinis, Linn., another member of the same group of flies, found only 

 in the nests and upon the young of the House-Martin, is very similar 

 in general appearance, but has lancet-shaped wings ; while Oxypterum 

 pallidum, Leach, has somewhat broader wings, and is confined to the 

 Swift. The so-called " Sheep-tick " [Melophagus oviniis, Linn.), which 

 is entirely destitute of wings, also belongs to this group. 



The mode of reproduction of these flies is highly remarkable. The 

 female is viviparous, and produces but a single larva at a time, which 

 grows to a large size within the body of the mother before being 

 extruded, being actually nourished by means of a sort oi placental con- 

 nection with the wall of the oviduct. As soon as it is deposited the 

 larva turns into a dark brown shining pupa, whence the group of 

 parasitic flies, to which Omithomyia belongs, has been termed the 

 Pupipara. Recently, however, a similar mode of reproduction has 

 been stated to occur in the case of the Tsetse Fly [Glossina), which is 

 a true Muscid, and a near relation of our common English Stomoxys ; 

 so that, if this is confirmed, the name PupiparamuBi be abandoned. — 

 E. E. Austen (Brit. Mus. South Kensington). 



