1890.J 



THE YOUNG NATURALIST. 



5 



Cicindela campestris, L. — This species obtains first place on the 

 British list in both editions of Dr. Sharp's Catalogue of British 

 Coleoptera. Canon Fowler, in Coleoptera of the British Islands, 

 gives precedence to C. sylvatica. As this is a clear case of disagree- 

 ment among doctors, the question as to priority of position must re- 

 main open. The insect occurs commonly on most of our heaths in the 

 South of England in the spring; I have taken it at Esher, Farnham 

 (Surrey), Loughton, and elsewhere. In the year 1877 it was unusually 

 abundant at a grassy spot close to the rifle butts at the first-mentioned 

 locality, and could have been taken in hundreds, flying in the bright 

 sunshine ; but latterly, though still common, it has not occurred there 

 in such numbers. Mr. W. E. Sharp, referring to this species, says — 

 "not very common in this (Chester) district ; but found occasionally 

 " in open sandy places, woods and heaths. Very common in Isle of 

 "Man, southern coast, occasionly found on banks of Dee, in Wales." 

 Dr. Ellis [Liverpool Coleoptera) reports it "of occasional occurrence in 

 "early summer on Bidston Hill, and on other heaths and mosses. 

 " That the species hybernates is indicated by the fact that Mr. Wilding 

 "has taken it in a torpid condition in early spring, under stones, on 

 " Thurstatston Heath." Mr Gillo, of Bath writes — "that C. campestris 

 "although occurring in dry sandy localities, nevertheless appears to 

 "choose places with plenty of grass, amongst which it is nearly impos- 

 sible to distinguish it, I think there can be no doubt that this is an 

 "instance of protective colouring." Mr. Robson says — "it is rather 

 "common about Hartlepool, occurring on the railway sides, and on 

 "the sea banks, where they are not sandy." 



Of the rare variety Funebris, Sturm., I know nothing. Mr. Cox 

 says — "it is entirely black above," and occurs only in Scotland. 



C. hybrida, L., occurs sometimes abundantly on the sandhills on 

 both sides of the Mersey, " It seems to prefer the barest hills, and 

 "those nearest the shore, and can there be found throughout the 

 "summer, flying in the hottest sunshine." (Dr. Ellis, Liverpool 

 Coleoptera.) In Chester district the insect is not uncommon on the 

 sandhills, in May and June (W. E. Sharp). It is also taken by Mr. 

 Wilding. 



C. maritima, Dej., as previously observed, is ranked as a species by 

 Dr. Sharp, and probably there is quite as much reason, if not more, 

 to consider it as such, than is the case with many others which are 

 called species in the British List. It differs from C. hybrida, in having 



