66 
HOW TO COLLECT 
domestic or otherwise, with a butterfly -net ; but occasionally they can 
be caught with the hand, or boxed. 
" Dead Animals.— Carrion is sometimes very attractive, and many 
rare species not met with elsewhere are to be taken on it. Here 
again the moisture is probably the attraction. A place where blood 
has run over the ground is generally attractive, though, strange to 
say, the wet mud and sand in river-beds, so attractive to butterflies 
in the tropics, has no attraction for Diptera. 
" Other Attractions — Sweeping — Beating. — Other attractions, such 
as leaves, tree trunks, bare sandy places, etc., had perhaps better be 
considered under the head of attractions to families. One method 
of capture should not be omitted, however, and this is sweeping. 
Many species of Acalypterate Muscidm, and also many small 
Syrphidw, which otherwise would probably be entirely overlooked, 
may be taken in this manner. The best places to sweep over are 
damp marshy spots, overgrown with rushes, flags, cotton-grass, etc. 
Beating seldom repays, though Cyrtidw may now and again be 
obtainable by this means only. 
" Habits of Various Families. — Syrphidm (Hover-flies, Drone- 
flies, etc.). — For this family sunshine is absolutely 
essential, and the majority will be found at flower 
heads, in company with many species of Muscidai. 
Some few, however (e.g. Xylota, Calliprobola Brachy- 
ms), prefer leaves and tree trunks ; while species 
leucozona lucorum. ]3 e j ori g{ n g t, 0 certain genera (Pelecocera, Melanostoma, 
etc.) will probably be taken chiefly by sweeping. Many species of 
Syiphus, Eristalis, etc., may be taken hovering in the air. 
"Bombylidai (Bee-flies, etc.). — The species 
of the Anthracinse branch of this family 
are generally to be found hovering in .the 
hottest sunshine over bare spots on heaths, 
seashores, etc. The Bombylinse, on the 
other hand, affect flowers — e.g. primroses, 
Potentilla, etc. At Aden Bombylius analis 
was found hovering over the flowers of the 
garden turnip run wild, and probably other 
BOMBYLIUS DISCOLOR. % . „ . - , , F ■ J 
(Jrucilerse will be round attractive. 
