A WORD WITH INSECT-COLLECTORS. 203 
since then it has been much the same in the Canterbury district. Abbot’s Wood, 
in Sussex, is now the nearest locality to London, and there are some collectors 
who have scarcely missed going there when this species is out, for the last twelve 
or twenty years, and bringing away hundreds of specimens every year, and then 
they report, with surprise, that the species is much rarer than formerly. 
The Purple Emperor is equally a victim to the exterminator. 
The grand flight of this species, and the comparative difficulty of obtaining it, 
has made A. Iris eagerly sought after by collectors of insects, and the species has 
been practically exterminated in many phaces where it was abundant less than 
thirty years ago. In the “seventies’’ A. Iris was the insect of Chattenden 
Woods. The sallows form such dense thickets, that the larva could not be 
beaten, and hence the capture of the imago was the only means of obtaining it. 
These (both males and females) had a custom of flying for a few hours (ii a. m. to 
3 p.m.) to the highest point of the wood, and soaring round a few oaks that 
topped the hill. Here they settled, and became an easy prey. With a large 
ring net fixed on the end of a long hop-pole about twelve or fourteen feet in 
length, we have seen as many as nine amateur collectors standing in a line at 
three or four yards’ distance, and netting every specimen as it came up. Usually 
the numbers of “amateurs” were increased by a professional from Dartford, and 
another from Lewisham. Between 1877 and 1885, one of these professionals and 
a collector who w.as a near neighbour, practically lived on the ground ; in one 
year (1881) alone, some two or three hundred specimens were captured. Such 
are the depths to which entomology has been reduced. Needless to say, the 
insect is practically extinct in these woods. 
We are glad to see that this matter is receiving the attention 
of the Entomological Society. At a recent meeting of that 
body Mr. McLachlan opened a discussion on the best means 
of preventing the extinction of British butterflies. He named 
certain sure species which had already disappeared, and others 
which would probably become extinct in the near future, and 
expressed a desire to see whether some plan could not be 
devised to protect narrowly localised species which were 
apparently in danger of being exterminated by over-collecting. 
Professor Meldola thought that a resolution passed by the 
Society, possibly in conjunction with kindred societies, might 
produce some effect ; and it was moved that a committee should 
be appointed by the Council to investigate the matter and to 
report thereon. If anything can be done the Selborne Society 
will, we are sure, be glad to lend ever}" help possible in a matter 
so intimately connected with its objects and sympathies. 
W. F. Kirby. 
Tit’s Nest in a Mop. — The cutting enclosed is from the Ulverston 
Advertiser of July 4, 1896. I cannot recall a similar instance, but these birds 
are occasionally very erratic in their choice of a building place : — 
“Peculiar Place for a Bird’s Nest. — We have heard many wonderful 
stories about birds’ nests built in strange places, and one which has for the 
past few days been seen in Ulverston is one of the strangest. Mrs. Nicholson, 
who resides at the lodge at Fair View, Mr. Kennedy’s residence, one evening 
left in the yard, close to the back door and the coal heap, a mop leaning 
against the wall. Next morning a tit was busily engaged constructing upon 
the head of the mop a nest of moss. The mop was not disturbed, and the little 
creature laid five eggs, and has now brought forth four youngsters, all cosily 
chirruping in their strange birth-place. Mrs. Nicholson takes the utmost care 
that the family shall not be disturbed, and has noticed that the little mother is 
not troubled unless strangers are seen in the yard.” 
Ulverston. S. L. P. 
