Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 1 (1897).djvu/552

520 made at Gadzima, on the Middle Umfuli River, Mashunuland. The collection I have since worked out (Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. Ser. 6, vol. xix. p. 125, 1897), and the present discussion affords a good opportunity for publishing these original field observations.—].

Stridulation of Cicadidæ.—Both in Central Africa (Nyasaland) and the West Indies I have taken Cicadas at light. In the Transvaal I have also taken them at rest on tree-trunks, but I do not think they were taken in consequence of their "song" having thus localized them. It is always easy to spot what tree they are on, but I noticed they chose the tops of small trees which were out of reach and sight, as there they got the most sun. It is the warmth they need, and they do not generally shrill unless the sun is out. I have netted them in bright sunshine, as they flew off the trees on my approach. At Zomba I caught a large species by actually localizing its noise, but that was the only instance of the kind that I remember.— (Devonshire Club, S.W.).

Stridulation and Habits of Cicadidæ.—By the above notes it will be seen that both Mr. Guy Marshall and Dr. Percy Rendall took Cicadidæ "at light." This was my own experience in the Malay Peninsula; and yet, strange to say, in South Africa, though I visited the electric lamps of Pretoria for three years, and made a large collection of Heterocera and other insects therefrom, I never saw nor took a single specimen of the family under such conditions.

In addition to the two species, Platypleura centralis and P. rutherfordi, which Mr. Marshall found calling "after sundown almost to dark," my experience was the same with the small and scarce species, Platypleura haglundi, Stål. This rare Cicadad I heard in the Waterberg district of the Transvaal just before sundown, and without any difficulty located the tree from whence the stridulating music proceeded, when by a close scrutiny in the fading light I took a set of specimens from off the twigs and branches, to the colour of which they assimilate in colouration. I cannot conceive that my ears or eyes were superior to those of any insectivorous bird. That birds do thus capture Cicadas is vouched for by Mr. A.H. Swinton, who paid considerable attention to the family in Italy. "About the commencement of July there appeared, as if by magic, certain greyish insectivorous birds with a harsh and guttural note, among the sunny vines and woody knolls where the Cicadæ had established their coteries; and these, sitting on the low brambles, sometimes two together, knavishly whistled a tune until an unwary chanticleer was inveigled to respond, and so betray his hiding. The obnoxious intruders then flew at him, and brought him to the ground in their beak and claws, screaking most piteously, 'Whee! whee!'" ('Insect Variety,' p. 21). And that I am not alone in my expe-