Page:The Zoologist, 1st series, vol 1 (1843).djvu/206

178 again when thoroughly dry. And to put each specimen alive in a separate box requires time, fills the pockets inconveniently, many of the specimens will die and become stiff, and all will damage themselves considerably by flying about; the boxes in which they are placed being constantly rolling over and over whilst in the pursuit of other game. The thought at length occurred to me to adapt the botanical vasculum to entomological purposes; and to this end I had made a small japanned tin box, about 9 inches long, 6 inches wide, and If deep. In the bottom of this box I put a thin sheet of cork, securing it by means of several tin points projecting from the sides. I then filled the box with warm water, and let it stand several hours, until the cork was well saturated with moisture, when, the superfluous water being poured off, the box was ready for use. Under the bottom, and also upon the hinge side, are two tin loops, through which, when I reach the hunting ground, I put two straps; one of these I pass round my neck, and the other round my waist, thus securing the box upon my breast with the lid opening from below. Here fixed, it leaves both my hands at perfect liberty, and does not cause any impediment to swift pursuit of insects on the wing. I used this box the whole of last season, and after a long day's chase in the hottest weather, I have never failed to bring home the smallest moth through which a fine pin could be passed, as flexible as if just killed: in fact I have frequently kept moths perfectly pliant in this box, until they have been covered with a fine flourishing crop of fungi. I have also a smaller box, made on the same principle, to put into my pocket when taking only a short walk. When not in use I keep water standing in them, so as constantly to have them ready for the chase. This kind of box is by far the best for relaxing dried specimens of insects of any I have tried; and for this purpose, as well as that for which I first had it constructed, I cannot sufficiently recommend it to the notice of entomologists.—Id.

Note on the use of the Lantern in capturing Moths by night. Many modes in which the lantern may be used with effect, have lately been pointed out, but one which I found very effectual last season, I have never seen noticed. It is—to choose the margin of a wood, well hedged, and the ditch filled with herbage, by the side of which I walk, holding in my left hand a small pocket lantern, with a bull's eye glass, secured by a ribbon round my neck; and in the other hand a hoop net. The moths will ever and anon make their appearance from among the trees, and will skirt along the hedge, and if the lantern be turned towards the wood, they may be struck with the net the moment they appear within the illuminated disk. By this means I have caught many species which could not be allured by a stationary lamp.—Id.

Golden Eagle, (Falco chrysaëtos). According to Glover, the historian of the county, the earliest notice of this bird being met with in Derbyshire occurred in the year 1668, when Willughby (a native of it) found an eagle's nest in the Woodlands, near the river Derwent, in the Peak. He describes the nest as being composed of large