236 



THE YOUNG NATURALIST. 



usually plentiful in 1886, owing to the comparative scarcity of swallows and 

 wasps. I believe it was the case with the swallows, that on their arrival here 

 they suffered much from lack of food, and many may have died, as has been 

 suggested. Wasps in North Kent have been observable in about the cus- 

 tomary numbers, no doubt they frequently kill and eat other insects, but I 

 have not noticed them to single out the housefly specially. It will probably 

 be found that a dry, moderately hot summer is favourable to the increase of 

 the house-fly. — J. E. S. Clifford, Gravesend. 



Hop-dog or Hop-cat ? — Newman states the larva of Orgyia pudihunda 

 is styled the "hop-dog" in many places, but about Gravesend it appears to 

 bear the name of " hop-cat." Its coat of hairs may quite as much entitle it 

 to the feline as to the canine designation, perhaps more so. Though named 

 from the hop, it is more oftener found on other plants and trees, even in the 

 hop districts, is partial to high climbing, but after repeated falls through the 

 summer winds, it then becomes content to dwell amongst the humbler and 

 shady bushes. — J. R. S. Clifford, Gravesend. 



The Stormy Petrel at Hartlepool. — My son saw four or five of these 

 birds on the wing a few days ago, but failed in shooting one. On Thursday 

 a specimen was captured alive by a fishing boat, and is now in the possession 

 of Mr. J. A. Mann, Taxidermist. — John E. Robson, Hartlepool. 



The King Fish at Hartlepool. — A fine specimen of a fish I make out 

 to be the King Pish (Lampris guttatus) has been taken here. It was found 

 on 30th October, at Black Hall rocks, some four miles north of the town, 

 washed up by the tide but still alive, and was brought to the fish quay, 

 where I had the opportunity of examining it. It measured 2 feet 8 inches 

 from mouth to tail, and nearly as much from back fin to ventral fin. In 

 colour it was dark silvery grey, with a number of oval spots of lighter 

 colour. Where the skin was slightly rubbed it was silvery, but where much 

 abraided it was a deep salmon colour. All the fins as well as the tail were a 

 most brilliant orange-red, and altogether it was the most beautiful fish I ever 

 saw. It was bought by Mr. Thorp, a local fishmonger, and sent, I under- 

 stand, to York, to be offered to the Museum there. — John E. Robson, 

 Hartlepool. 



EXCHANGE. 



Desiderata — Fine well-set specimens of Atalanta, Cardui, Cardamines, Corydon, 

 Adonis, Egeria> Edusa, and other common Southern species ; also Paniscus, and the 

 Theclas (with the exception of Rubi). Will make a good return. — John Mackay, 78, 

 Gloucester Street, Kingston, Glasgow. 



