THE YOUNG NATURALIST. 



51 



studied bird-life ; and it was here, under his tuition, that I acquired a taste 

 for entomology. Well I remember how many a time and oft we trudged out 

 together, he shouldering the gun and I the net, searching the nooks and 

 sheltered corners for birds and insects. He would remark the haunts of the 

 woodpecker, the kingfisher, or the moorhen, and other things of special in- 

 terest to the naturalist. Frequent references to Mr* James Levvcock's notes 

 on ornithology will be found in the " Letters of Kusticus on Natural His- 

 tory." Our favourite walk was to the Old Park, which even then had 

 partially degenerated into hop land, ploughed fields, and meadows, There 

 was still, however, a patch of woodland to the north-west, and hozier-bed near 

 the town end, and an expanse of heath at the extreme north, and at that 

 the district was a choice entomological hunting-ground. Of the 4-4 species 

 of butterflies taken at Earnham, the majority of them were obtainable at the 

 Old Park, and I have no doubt that nearly as many species may still be got 

 there. Exception, however, must be taken to Aporia cratcegi, which has en- 

 tirely disappeared from the district, though in 1847, the larvse were tolerably 

 abundant on whitethorn, at the west end of Earnham.- Vanessa antiopa has 

 been taken twice only, and Alelitea cinxia by myself three or four times. 

 Colzas edusa and C. hyale appear at irregular intervals, the variety C. helice 

 having been taken but once. L. sinapis is still located at the Old Park, in 

 August, 1880, this species was very common, and I observed several speci- 

 mens flying in the town. Eour of the Hairstreaks, viz, rudi, quercus, betulce, and 

 W-album, were to be got by seeking for, being generally common. The other 

 butterfly being generally common species need no comment. Among the moths, 

 besides the common Sphinges, 6. convolvuli has been captured occasionally ; 

 A. atropus is sometimes numerous m the potato fields ; and several of the Clear- 

 wings are not uncommon. Other moths taken there are P. populi, C. ride?is, 

 L. turca, T. interjecta, T. leucographa, nearly all the Quakers, I), rubiginea, 

 C. exoleta and vetusta, P. monac/ia, and a good supply of the common species. 



The Little Park, or Earnham Deer Park as it is now called, is about 320 

 acres in extent, and stocked with deer, but not a good collecting ground for 

 the lepidopterist, though some decent things may often be turned up by pupa- 

 digging ; Lycena argiolus occurs commonly in some seasons at the eastern 

 end of the park. Growing near the Keep, are one or two oak trees of the 

 peculiar variety which bears the acorn with a mossy cup. Respecting the 

 coleoptera of this park I cannot give much information, but several species of 

 Lamellicornia are tolerably abundant there. 



Moor Park, the other district worthy of notice lies more to the south, and 

 is a delightful spot for the botanist. It was to this part that I bent my 

 steps on July 12. Starting from Downing Street, I made for the footpath 



