466 THE ZOOLOGIST 



been as a result of an early gale, when the young Books have been 

 blown out of their nests. 



Alauda arvensis. — Young just leaving the nest. 



Cotumix communis. — A nest with nine eggs in field of growing 

 barley, and laid bare by the harvesters. 



Crex pratensis. — On two or three occasions with eggs and young. 



Podicipes minor. — Once with three eggs, as yet unstained, and 

 therefore probably fresh. 



Of the foregoing it may be noted that the Common Whitethroat, 

 the Eeed- Warbler, the House-Martin, the Quail, and the Landrail are 

 birds that are eminent migrants, and it would be interesting to know 

 — supposing the various broods are successfully reared — what happens 

 to them. Do they migrate when fully developed, or do they, before 

 becoming strong enough to undertake their arduous journeys, become 

 victims to first frosts of early autumn ? — E. F. M. Elms. 



IN SECT A. 



Note on the Habits of a South African Species of Rhynchota 

 (Henicocephalus sp.). — " When I first collected the specimens I send 

 you, I placed them in a small narrow glass tube. After I had thus 

 secured «three specimens (two males and one female) I noticed what 

 seemed to be an intense struggle going on in the tube. After watching 

 the contest for a while I saw one manage to insert its rostrum into the 

 sternum of the other, which I thought settled the question of these 

 insects being not only predaceous, but cannibals as well ! Imagine my 

 surprise, after less than a minute, to see the injured male become 

 paralysed, and only just able to occasionally move its legs, while the 

 victorious one proudly marched over him and paid his respects to the 

 female. Afcer a short time they were again a happy family, for the 

 vanquished male was slowly recovering, and apparently quite willing 

 to play a subordinate part." — C. W. Mally (Assist. Entomologist, 

 Dept. of Agriculture, Cape Town). 



[The above extract from a letter I received from Mr. Mally affords 

 interesting information on the habits of a very small family of Hetero- 

 pterous Rhynchota allied to the Reduviida. The species is probably 

 an undescribed one, but at present it is impossible to compare it with 

 the type of another South African species, which is not to be seen in 

 this country. — Ed.] 



Verlusia rhombea in Lincolnshire. — Whilst at Mablethorpe in 

 August, 1903, Mr. C. S. Carter, M. C. S. Curator, Louth Ant. and Nat. 



