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THE YOUNG NATURALIST. 



London sparrows, no doubt, keeping it well in check ; the male moths may 

 be observed in the parks from November to January, flying at dusk, or at 

 rest on trees and palings. The apterous female can only be obtained by 

 careful searching in the cracks of the bark. 



We now come to the " Pugs " of which large family I have at present 

 only observed two species, namely, B. centaur mia and B, vulgata, the first 

 appears during July and August, while the latter is found from May to 

 September, both being fairly abundant. IE. assimilata may perhaps also 

 occur in some districts, but I have no .definite record of it. 



Of the "Carpet" moths we have only one species M> fluctuata (Garden 

 Carpet), but this is exceedingly abundant everywhere throughout the summer. 

 The larvae are found in the antumn on various garden plants, being very 

 fond of Indian cress. They rest with the interior segments coiled up, and 

 drop from the food plant when disturbed. 



This concludes the list of Geometrse, and we now turn our attention to 

 those lovers of darkness, the Noctuse. Of Noctuse, the town collector 

 will be able to make a very good show, there being a fair number on the list. 

 The first is the well-known Acronycta psi (Dagger Moth), which is commonly 

 met with on tree trunks during June and July, or it may be easily decoyed 

 with the entomologist's "sugar/' The larva, which makes a very good 

 object for preserving, is found during the winter months, feeding on various 

 trees, the lime and elm being favourites. When full fed it forms a cocoon of 

 bits of bark, or rubbish of any kind. This species varies considerably in the 

 colour of the anterior wings, some specimens being a beautiful silvery grey, 

 while others are smoky drab, the dagger-like markings, however, are very 

 constant. 



Our next species is Acronycta megacephala (Poplar Grey Moth.) This is 

 a regular inhabitant of Hackney. During the months of May and June it is 

 observed in considerable numbers on the trunks of poplar and other trees, 

 sitting with the wings folded up, and the anterior legs extended j when thus 

 at rest it forms a pretty object. The larvae feed upon poplar, and 

 occasionally on willow trees ; they are fond of resting upon the underside of 

 the leaves, and on the trunks, always having their heads bent round so as to 

 resemble a loop. When disturbed they hold very tightly to the bark, so 

 much so that it requires some little force and skill to detach them. When 

 full fed they form a compact cocoon in some cleft of the bark, covering the 

 outside with little fragments of wood, etc., so that it is very difficult to 

 distinguish. Occasionally they go underground, but even then they form a 

 very strong case. The pupae are very long, and of a bright red colour. 



