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“Where the Blazed Trail 
Crosses the Boulevard” 


In writing to 
Chrysops the Golden Eyed 
Black and Tan Flies with Spotted Wings 
and Golden Eyes. 
They Have a Bill Like 
a Gimlet and a Bloodthirsty Disposition 
By A. B. CHAMPLAIN 
OU happen to be out fishing—the 
ns day is bright and warm, and 
the boat is anchored in a likely 
spot. Your eyes are on the line, and 
your mind is occupied with the antici- 
pation of a struggle with the prize 
bass, when—zing! you get a dig on the 
arm or neck that brings a drop of 
biood to the surface. The golden-eyed 
flies are on the job. 
Or, you may go bathing in your 
favorite hole in the lake or river, and 
you soon find 
that the golden- 
eyed flies are ly- 
ing in wait. If 
they are numer- 
ous enough you 
may just as well 
call it off until 
these bloodthirsty 
pests are absent. 
Perhaps you 
are strolling 
along a woody 
road in the moun- 
tain, and a host 
of these annoying 
creatures are on 
your trail, buzzing about your head or 
sitting on your hat eyeing you im- 
pudently, and just waiting for you to 
stop for a second—then a concerted at- 
tack that spoils your day. 
Many fishermen and outdoor en- 
thusiasts come to me every summer 
with similar stories: “They nearly ate 
us alive! Black and tan flies with 
spotted wings and golden eyes. Only 
a bit larger than a house fly, but with 
a bill like a gimlet and a bloodthirsty 
disposition that compels us to sit up 
and take notice.” 
“What are they and where do they 
come from?” ; 
The Chrysops, so called on account 
of their beautiful golden yellow eyes, 
which are often marked with darker 
lines and spots, are also known as “deer 
flies,’ “breeze flies,’ and “ear flies.” 
They belong to the horse fly family, 
and there are a great number of 
species. They are found almost every- 
where, each climate or environment 
having its own particular kind. 
Geet the females of the species 
possess the bloodthirsty character 
that brings them to our attention. 
They are provided with powerful 
lancetlike mouth parts, by means of 
advertisers mentiqn Forest and Stream, 

25 
mend 
Chrysops vittatus, the deer fly. 
which they inflict the painful bites. 
The males are flower feeders and live 
on the juices and nectar of plants, and 
also upon fermenting sap (we seldom 
come in contact with them). 
The eggs of the golden-eyed flies are 
usually deposited in small masses upon 
the leaves or stems of water plants and 
grasses growing along the marsh or 
swamp. When first laid they are light 
in color, but soon turn brown or black, 
and may easily be observed in the 
neighborhood of 
their breeding 
places. 
Upon hatching, 
the young Chry- 
sops, which are 
small whitish 
larvae or worm- 
like creatures, 
drop to the water 
or muddy shore. 
Here among the 
mucky growth 
the young golden- 
eyed flies live a 
carnivorous life, 
working their 
way through the moist earth and mud, 
searching for worms, snails and insect 
larvae upon which they feed by suck- 
ing the juices or body fluids. 

N this manner they pass considerable 
time growing and feeding. Finally 
they are ready to go through the proc- 
ess'or metamorphosis that brings them 
into a different stage of life: that most 
wonderful change in which the wings 
and legs and other members of a ma- 
ture body are formed, and finally the 
perfect golden-eyed fly will emerge, 
leaving the shell of its old self protrud- 
ing from the ground. 
After a short period during which 
the wings and body dry off, and after 
a few preliminary attempts at flying, 
the Chrysops is off to join the hosts of 
its kind. 
Golden-eyed flies are swift in flight, 
and after mating the females soon start 
out in pursuit of animals both large 
and small, which they attack with their 
strong beaks, and gorge themselves 
with blood. Human beings are not ex- 
cepted, and we find that the bites of 
the female Chrysops are painful, and 
may smart for some time. Some blood 
may flow, but the swelling, if any, soon 
disappears. On the whole, the bites of 
It will identify you. 

