THE BRITISH SNAKE-FLIES (RAPHIDIA). 87
margin to the ocelli. Wings slightly smoky, nervures strong
and black, petrostigma dark brown with two cross-nervures,
R1 forked, R3 forked. (Fig. 1.) Found in pine woods, princi-
pally in the South of England, from May to July. Hybernates
as a larva.
Recorded from Gosfield, Essex (G. T. Porritt, Entomologist,
1909, p. 183.)
Raphidia xanthostigma, Schum. Head brassy black, gradually
narrowed behind, ocelli indistinct. Petrostigma long and pale
yellow with one transverse nervure, R1 forked, R2 R3 united.
(Fig. 2.)
Found in oak woods in Central and Eastern England. Hyber-
nates as a larva. I have taken it in Epping Forest; May and
June.
Raphidia cognata, Rambur. Head shining black with parallel
sides, suddenly contracted into a short neck; a smooth medial
reddish line. Petrostigma elongate, pale brown, with one cross
nervure, R1 forked, R, simple. (Fig. 3.)
This is a rare species found in Eastern England in June.
Raphidia maculicollis, Steph. Head black, gradually
narrowed behind, with a median reddish line and an irregular
reddish spot on each side. Petrostigma long and narrow, pale
yellowish brown. R1 simple, R3 simple. (Fig. 4.)
More evenly distributed than the other species; in pine
woods. Hybernates as a pupa. April to June.
EXPLANATION OF THE PLATE.
1. Raphidia maculicollis, ova.
2. Do. larva.
3. Do. ♂ pupa in its cell.
4. Do. pupa crawling.
5. Do. ♀ imago.
Alpine Swift at Dovercourt.—Mr. Harold Braund reports (in
British Birds for Dec, 1930) that, at Dovercourt on August 17th, 1930,
he observed a single individual of Alpine Swift (Apus melba, melba) associa-
ting with a small flock of Common Swifts, just before their migration.
According to Glegg's History of the Birds of Essex the Alpine Swift has
only once before been recorded from our county, namely, from near
Colchester in June 1871. Editor.