230 
NATURE NOTES 
The Convolvulus Hawk Moth. — This insect has been extremely plenti- 
ful in this district this year. One gentleman took eighteen in a small garden 
situated in the centre of the town of Littlehampton, and I hear reports of captures 
from Chichester, Bognor and Emsworth. The specimens were nearly all found 
feeding on the flowers of the tobacco plant. 
Lyminster, Arundel. W. .S. Cleather. 
The convolvulus hawk moth has been more abundant this year than in any 
other in my experience. At Lowestoft, on October 7, I saw one hovering round 
an electric lamp. It then settled on the esplanade, and was captured by a young 
man who informed me he had taken one the evening before. A neighbour tells 
me of numerous captures of this sphinx while hovering over the flowers of tobacco 
plants. I am no longer a collector, but think that many a hawk moth might be 
taken by keeping watch over the flowers of tobacco plants in the evening. 
Market IVesfon, Thetford. Ed.MUND TitOS. Daubeny. 
November, 1901. 
Wood Leopard Moth. —In the latter part of September my attention was 
drawn to a pear-tree in my garden, which has not borne any fruit this season. 
In the trunk of the tree I discovered a small circular hole, and by’ inserting a thin 
tw'ig, I found it to be about three or four inches in depth, the cavity tunning 
upwards. Upon closer scrutiny I found two more holes of a similar character, 
and protruding from one of them was the skin of a caterpillar. A few days later, 
I happened to see a wood leopard moth (Zeiizera <escnli) at rest on the same tree. 
The creature did not attempt to fly when I picked it up, and seemed to be in a 
sleepy state. “ Cassell’s Natural History ” tells me that the caterpillar of this 
moth infests apple, ash, and other trees. 
2, Canonbury Place, November 8. CuAS. E. J. IIannett. 
Holly Blues. — Referring to \\'. F. Kirby’s note on page 217, the holly 
blue occurs fairly regularly in two broods here. I have caught twenty this year 
in the garden, flying round or settling on the hollies. The hollies are fine and 
plentiful. 
Leylands, Wotton, Surrey. R. Brooke. 
In answer to Mr. W. F. Kirby’s notes on the holly blue butterfly, I may state, 
that when I was down at Upper Dicker, Sussex, during the first week in August 
last, this butterfly was common in that neighbourhood. 
Carlton House, Herne Hill, S.E. Raleigu S. Small.man. 
November 6, 1901 . 
Flies ? — It has been a familiar sight to me in Upper Wharfcdale to see a grey 
mass of midges dancing over the top of the fir trees at the time of day when the 
atmosphere was congenial to their aerial sports. At other times these insects lie 
close about the branches of the trees until disturbed, and then life becomes a 
burden to anyone standing near. The midges in this locality sometimes swarm 
to such an extent that horses become too restive to stand, men are driven from 
their outdoor labour, and I have seen a child leave the attractions of the hayfield 
in tears owing to the relentless persecution of these minute pests. 
E. G. Wooed. 
The letters which' have been appearing under this head remind me of an 
incident related to me many years ago by the then vicar of Aylesbury'. One 
summer afternoon he noticed (as he thought) smoke issuing from the lead-covered 
dwarf spire which surmounted his church tower. In a state of consternation he 
at once proceeded, accompanied by his verger, to investigate. Searching into 
every possible nook and corner en route they at length reached the summit of the 
tower without having come across any sign of fire, or smell of smoke. Here they 
paused to deliberate, and, while so doing, happened to notice the flies, which 
were basking in innumerable quantities upon the lead of the spire, suddenly rise 
in a dense cloud, and after a short flight, resettle. They watched this mano;uvre 
repeated several times at short intervals, with the result that they retraced their 
steps feeling satisfied that they had di.scovered the harmless nature of the “ sntoke,” 
but not without feeling something akin to chagrin at having been so completely 
taken in by a swarm of flies ! 
The vicar’s theory was that the action of the sun rendered the lead unbearably 
