(1) A brief extract from Charles Colyer's introductory chapter to:
Flies of the British Isles
(The Wayside & Woodland Series Frederick Warne - First edition 1951)
"It is hoped that, armed with the contents of these pages and with those indispensable qualities of the true field-naturalist, an alert eye, a receptive mind and a capacity for appreciating minute detail, the reader may be encouraged to discover in the field fresh knowledge of what is, as yet, a relatively little explored part of the insect world. In the search, the seeker will find that the feet will be led into many new places, the body encouraged to new forms of effort and that, inevitably, the eyes will perceive many strange, fascinating and unexpected things apart from the special objects of the search. The dividend of physical health and mental satisfaction to be derived from such endeavour is a thing enjoyed by all too few in this harassed world of today."
Pictured: Eristalis arbustorum male in display above female; roadside verge near Creetown an 'accidental' biodiversity hotspot. Galloway, Scotland - August 10, 2009
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