n 



THE YOUNG NATURALIST. 



Of Geometrse, the following were seen : — Rumia cracagata, a few (second 

 brood). Lareniia didymata, in extraordinary abundance, especially just 

 before sunset, L. olivata, also very common, but rather worn. Ypsipetes 

 elutata, common and variable ; var. infuscata, fairly common ; var. heapo- 

 liata (Miliere). Melanippe fluctuata, a few very dark. Camptogramma 

 bilineata, abundant. Cidaria rvssata and immanata, literally in thousands. 

 C. populata, only a few, spoiled. Anaitis plagiata, one. 



The Micros were poorly represented. 1 noticed the following : — Phycis 

 letula, one in fine condition. Plutella Dalella, swarmed, as also did Depres- 

 saria applana, D. atomella, D. heraclceana, and a few other common species. 



F may just add that the flowers have very little attraction when wet. I 

 tried one night, when they were saturated with moisture, and all I got was 

 about half-a-dozen N. xanthographa, and a few common things. 

 Pitcaple, Aberdeen. 



PASSING EVENTS. 



Scarcely has the excitement subsided caused by the price realized for the 

 Great Auk's egg, sold at Steven's Sale Rooms, King Street, Covent Garden, 

 on 13th December last, than another specimen has come under the hammer 

 at the same place. The last one, which was of small size, slightly cracked, 

 not well marked, and rather discoloured, but undoubtedly genuine, brought 

 the enormous price of £168 (see page 18). The present specimen, which 

 was sold on 12th March, was a very fine and perfect one. Mr. Stevens said 

 it was the finest out of the 11 or 12 that had passed through his hands. 

 Naturally there was a great gathering of enthusiastic Oologists, some to bid, 

 and many perhaps only to be present to witness the sale. The bidding for 

 the last egg commenced at £50, and it was knocked down at £120. The 

 first bid for this one was 100 guineas, from which it rose rapidly, until amid 

 much cheering the former price was passed, and at last 200 guineas was 

 reached. Then, as the guineas seemed somewhat to puzzle the bidders, the 

 biddings were changed into pounds, and it was ultimately knocked down to 

 Gardner, of Oxford Street, for £225. The name of his principal did not 

 transpire, but it was reported to have been bought for America. 



The sale of the collection of Mr. W. Warren took place at the same time. 

 It was a collection of Macro-Lepidoptera in fine condition and containing 

 many rare species, but with few varieties. Three lots of half-a-dozen 

 each of Minos and Exulans brought an average of 25/- per lot, while 57 of 

 the commoner Burnets including one yellow Ifilipendula only produced 9/-. 

 Lot 38 — Nubeculosa, G; IVepida, 12 ; sold for 24/-. Lot 41 — Ccenosa, 13, 



