Ill] 



FOSSORES OR DIGGER-WASPS 



21 



and depositing the loads a few inches from the hole, 

 sometimes on the right, sometimes on the left side ; 

 but invariably below the aperture so that none of the 

 soil rolled back into the cavity she had made. The 

 burrow was made some three inches deep, and while 

 she was out of view in profimdis the insect kept up 

 an angry, rasping buzz which effectually scared away 

 a fly of parasitic (cuckoo) habits who came to inspect 



Fig. 2. Ammophila mihulosa 

 (slightly enlarged) 



the mouth of the tunnel. All the Ammophilas have 

 this habit of buzzing when down their burrow, and 

 I have little doubt that the noise serves to warn off 

 intruders on mischief bent, and so saves the lawful 

 tenant the necessity of resorting to more forcible, but 

 time- wasting methods. At length enough mining had 

 been done, but finishing touches were needed at the 

 entrance. The mouth was slightly enlarged so as to 



