THE SPHINGIDA OF SINGAPORE, 
BY 
EIBUCENANT FE. KELSAUL, “RA. 
we age OR any one living in a place like Singapore, and who 
Bale has any spare time on his hands , it is a great thing 
(BG to havea hobby. It matters little what this hobby 
ph “\ is, but for one whose business keeps him indoors 
Te most of the day as happens to many in this Colony, 
some hobby that will take them out of doors is 
the best. Such a one is the study of entomology, which 
has many advantages. It can be carried on at any time; 
it incurs little expense; it employs both mind and body; 
and opens up a large field for thought and investigation. 
This field as well as being large is exceedingly varied, and if 
worked systematically and scientifically will afford unending 
enjoyment to the student. In this paper I hope to givea 
brief sketch of what may be done in the near neighbourhood 
of Singapore in one branch only of this interesting science, 
namely, in the collection and study of the hawk moths. 
All that is needed in the way “of gear isa net, a killing 
bottle, a small pith-lined box and pins for collecting, anda 
few setting boards and store boxes for preserving the insects. 
Our hunting ground is the nearest flower-bed, amongst the 
best flowers being honeysuckle, vinca and Barleria, and for 
humming birds Jantana, papaw and the tembusu tree (fagrea 
peregrina, Wall). Moth-catching may sound tame, but it is 
genuine sport, requiring a true and quick eye and ready hand, 
and often is quite exciting. 
The Sphingide, or hawk moths, the finest and most inter- 
esting group of moths, are fairly well represented in the Is- 
land of Singapore. Like most moths they are crepuscular or 
nocturnal in their habits, few appearing before dusk. 
