26 



THE YOUNG NATURALIST. 



in search of this pretty and distinct-looking little moth, and as many as 

 twenty or thirty persons may sometimes be seen diligently searching the trees 

 in all directions, much to the astonishment of the ordinary observer. 



Hispidaria is also found in Epping Forest, but owing to the wet state of 

 the ground, usual at this time of the year, it is seldom searched for or 

 obtained from that locality. Brentwood is also a favourite locality. 



Amongst the other species to be found at Bichmond, Hyhernia leuco- 

 phearia must be considered the commonest. This pretty species well deserves 

 the name of " Spring Usher/' as it may always be observed by the 13th or 

 14th of February, remaining out about three weeks. It is aiso procured from 

 many other localties round London, and is found resting upon trees, fences, 

 &c, also coming freely to light. These remarks, of course, apply only to the 

 males, the female being apterous, and consequently is much less commonly 

 observed. Hyhernia progemmaria is the next species on our list. It appears 

 and remains on the wing somewhat later than Leucopkearia, but otherwise 

 the remarks made upon that species apply equally well to the present one. 

 The female is apterous, but has the rudimentary wings developed to a higher 

 degree than any other of the group. 



On fences and palings, about the first of March, may be observed speci- 

 mens of A. ascularia, the " March Moth " or " Crosswing," so called on 

 account of the peculiar way in which the wings are folded when the insect is 

 at rest. The males are usually very abundant, but the female is perhaps the 

 rarest of the apterous group ; male specimens may be obtained throughout 

 the month. 



In January, the erratic P. pilosaria first puts in a straggling appearance, 

 the main body being out about the middle of February. It is fairly abun- 

 dant in most localities, and like all the other species enumerated is to be 

 obtained from trees and fences. The apterous female is distinguished from 

 that of Hispidaria by its lighter colour, and by having the legs plain, His- 

 pidaria having them hairy or tufted. 



I have now mentioned most of the species which are to be met with cer- 

 tainty at this time of year. Occasionally, specimens of A. prodromaria are met 

 with, but the proper time for the appearance of this insect is the end of 

 March and beginning of April. On fences round birch plantations, and sit- 

 ting on the birch twigs C. flavicornis may frequently be observed, it also 

 sometimes flies in the sunshine with a headlong sort of flight, which generally 

 terminates by the insect pitching on to the ground and there remaining, and 

 from its inconspicuous colouring, it is difficult to find under these circum- 

 stances. 



Multistrigaria may occasionally be found at the foot of fences, and it comes 



