LETTEES FEOM ALABAMA. 211 
densely clothed with yellow hair ; to my surprise, 
it carried one of the black Pill Chafers ( Coprobius 
volvens) in its mouth, and flew with apparent ease, 
notwithstanding its burden ; an effort of strength 
which I should think, considering the relative size 
and weight of the tw^o insects, truly herculean, and 
far beyond that so often quoted of a lion carrying 
off a young bullock : the insect was flying, not 
crawling. I have since observed this powerful and 
predaceous fly carrying insects heavier than itself, 
on several occasions, and so well are its instincts 
recognised, that it has obtained the common name 
of the Bee-catcher.” 
