Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 1 (1897).djvu/551

Rh Pœcilopsaltria horizontalis, Karsch. This handsome species is by far the most scarce, and, moreover, I found it difficult to catch, owing to its habit of sitting high up on the small branches of the "machabel" tree, to which it seems confined. Like the preceding species, the cry starts low, and gradually rises to a very shrill and piercing note, much louder than that of any other species. Although I only captured it first on Oct. 17th, it must have been out some time before, as it disappeared about the end of the same month. I forgot to mention that, unlike P. bombifrons, the high note in its call is sustained for some time, alternating in regular cadences with the lower notes.

Platypleura centralis, Dist., differs from the preceding species in that it frequents the main trunk of its special tree (the "mfuti"), and this I suppose accounts for its markedly longer rostrum. The colouring is beautifully adaptive, and the black central line tends to the deception, from its resemblance to the cracks in the scaly bark. Like Platypleura rutherfordi, this insect continues calling after sundown, almost till dark; and I have also been awakened by it a good half-hour before sunrise. I have taken five examples at light. Is it possible that Cicadas fly much at night? When taking their numbers into account, it is very seldom indeed that I have ever seen any on the wing in the daytime, except when disturbed. This species, and also Pœcilopsaltria bombifrons, seem very subject to attack from a very large Asilus fly, which catches them on the wing. I have seen a good many too caught at rest by small Lizards. The cry is fairly high pitched, but not shrill or piercing; it is fairly steady, but broken occasionally for a few seconds by a lower churring note.

Pœcilopsaltria leopardina, Dist. I captured my first specimen on Nov. 2nd, but am inclined to think it was about the latter half of October, and that I overlooked it as being P. horizontalis. The cry is very similar, and has the same piercing shrillness, but it is not so loud, and the preliminary lower notes are characterized by a curious throbbing sound. At present it is quite the most ubiquitous kind, frequenting many different kinds of trees, but I have only seen it in any numbers on the "machabel." Have taken three at light.

Monomatapa insignis, Dist. I first noticed this species on the 15th, sitting on the thin stems of a bush, which occurred in a long strip between two patches of "mopani." There were a lot of them, and they were very conspicuous on the leafless stems; but now they have emigrated to the "mopanis." They did not begin calling till the 18th, and are hardly yet in full song. The cry is loud, but the chirp is not short or sharp, and there is an additional note at the end of it.—

[The above interesting notes are contained in a letter dated Nov. 21st, 1895, which I received from Mr. Marshall, with a collection of Cicadidæ