Bey THE AUSTRALIAN NATURALIST. 
taneously. The insect then crawled up a piece of rag and 
began to force the air through the trachae of the wings. An- 
other 15 minutes passed before the wings were fully expanded. 
THE IRREGULAR APPEARANCE. OF CICADAS, IN 
NEW SOUTH WALES, SEASON 1920-1. 
W. W. FrRoceatt: 
In ordinary seasons the large cicadas emerge, and are to be 
heard in the vicinity of Sydney about the 9th of November, 
continuing their music until early February. This year their 
appearance has been very erratic, and the few that have ap- 
peared have remained long after their usual time. There has 
also been a marked absence of the larger species, usually so 
numerous about our parks and gardens, and on the coastal 
forest trees. There were a few “Green Mondays” (Cyclochila 
australasiae) about the streets of Croydon for about a week in 
the early part of December. Mr. McCarthy informs me that 
at Mortlake the same species appeared in small numbers for a 
short time about the same date. In the Hawkesbury sandstone 
country the “Double Drummer” (2hopha saccata), “Union Jack” 
(Macrotristria angularis), “Black Cicadia” (Psaltoda moerens) 
and the “Washerwoman” (Henicopsaltria eydouxi) have been 
absent altogether from their usual haunts, and only odd speci- 
mens have been recorded. Eyen the small black squeakers 
(Melampsalta) have not been much in evidence. 
On 28th February I noted quite.a number calling at mid- 
day in the Outer Domain up a large water gum, but could not 
locate the individuals, though the note was like that of the 
“Green Monday” in a subdued key. 
A lady member of our Society informed me, after the 
meeting, that about 27th February she saw and heard a number 
of this species in a tree at Petersham. 
In the country, however, the reverse has been the case, 
and one species. has been abundant in localities where it is 
seldom noticed. At Warrah, in sandy country covered with 
pine scrub and small gum trees the noise made by an undeter- 
mined species (the Black Cicadia, I think) was almost deafen- 
ing in December. At Dubbo, on the banks of the Macquarie, 
on February 8th, and on the white gums in the bush, P. 
moerens was very abundant and noisy. The residents in both 
localities informed me that these insects are rare, au srllstors 
noticed in other years. “ 
