T. M. M‘GREG0R on boys’ BRIGADE AT BALLINLUIG. 1 35 
company with Captain Mitchell, of the Belfast Battalion, and Lance- 
Corporal Stirton, 3rd Coy., and Private D. Coltart, nth Coy. 
Many fine butterflies were again on the wing, and a few of the 
large dark-green fritillary were boxed, as also three exceptionally fine 
large dragon-flies, Cordulegaster annulatus^ about three inches long, 
which were captured on the edge of a mountain stream. Returning 
by way of the Tayside, the river was forded three times, but nothing 
of unusual interest was noted, although an occasional kitten-moth 
(Furcida) larva was picked up. Saida Scotica was seen to be very 
numerous amongst the shingles. Large flocks of oyster-catchers 
awoke the surrounding echoes with their shrill piping when dis¬ 
turbed. 
Monday, 8th July. —Visited Killiecrankie and Ben-y-Vrackie, in 
company with Captain Mitchell and Col.-Sergeant Munro, 8th Coy., 
and Lance-Corporal Stewart, 3rd Coy. 
After visiting the Queen’s View and Soldier’s Leap, walked 
through Pass of Killiecrankie on to Pitlochrie, and from thence to 
Ben-y-Vrackie. The weather being dull, with a strong wind blowing, 
specimens were very scarce, only two crimson dragon-flies, Pyrjio- 
soma mniuin, being captured at a mountain tarn, where a pupa skin 
of a large dragon-fly, Libellnla, was found. After reaching the top¬ 
most point of Ben-y-Vrackie, and enjoying the splendid view there¬ 
from, the descent to the lower ground was commenced, and many 
specimens of the emperor moth larva were found among the heather. 
Nothing, however, of any special interest was found, and the party 
walked back to camp about five o’clock, rather disappointed with the 
day’s work. 
Tuesday, gth July. —Visited a hillside on the right bank of the 
Tay, where we had previously met with the large dragon-flies. Cor- 
dulegaster annulatus. On this occasion we were accompanied by 
Privates John and Jas. Henderson, ist Coy., and Privates M‘Currach 
and Glass of the 12th Coy. 
The weather was dull and threatening, with occasional heavy- 
showers, which in the afternoon turned to a persistent and heavy 
rain. Searched patiently for specimens, but got none until well on 
our return journey, when we came upon a pond. Word was then 
given to spread out and search carefully, with the result that many 
fine dragon-flies were found at rest, while numerous specimens of a 
beautiful beetle were found upon the flowers of a water plant. Some 
of these were splendidly coloured in crimson, green, blue, and gold. 
On the west side of the pond we came across a large nest of the 
wood ant, Formica rufa, from which we secured many specimens for 
our Museum, it being the first occasion on which we had met with 
