SOLITARY LIFE 



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65 





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FIG. 55. Mud-daubers and their nests. From photograph. X "i . 



eggs they prepare a nest, as it were, by digging a hole 

 in the ground or excavating a cavity in some tree or 

 partially decayed log or stem, or constructing a cell of 

 mud or of wood pulp. Here they place the eggs singly, 

 and proceed to capture the characteristic food for their 

 young. These caterpillars, or whatever the prey may be, 

 they sting in such a way as to stupefy. In this condi- 

 tion the captives remain, to become food for the young 



upon their appearance. 

 5 



