ANTS. 



paths which radiate t'nun the cleared disk in different directions, often 

 to a distance of 1O-2O in. from the nest. These paths, in the case of 

 the typical Mexican harlnitus, remind one of human footpaths, as they 

 may be as much as 10-15 cm. wide. The existence of these well- 

 beaten paths, which are often found in connection with grass-encircled 

 nests, is alone sufficient to disprove Lincecum's statements. 



The reader may be referred to McCook's work (1879^) f r an 

 account of many interesting details in the habits of molefaciens. I 

 shall stop to record only a few observations on the marriage flight, the 

 method of establishing formicaries, the development of the nests, etc., 

 matters which have been either overlooked or inadequately described 

 by previous authors. During three successive years (1901-1903) at 

 Austin, Texas, the nuptial flight of molefaciens took place on one of 

 the last days of June (28 and 29) or the first in July. On one of these 

 occasions (July 4, 1903) the flight was of exceptional magnitude and 

 beauty. A few days previous the country had been deluged with heavy 

 rains, but Independence Day was clear and sunny, the mesquite trees 

 were in full bloom and the air resounded with the hum of insects. For 

 several days I had seen a few males and winged females stealthily 

 creep out of the nest entrances as if for an airing, but hurry back at 

 the slightest alarm. From 1.30 to 3 o'clock, however, on the after- 

 noon of July 4, all the numerous colonies which I could visit during a 

 long walk through the fields and woods west of the town, gave forth 

 their males and females as if by a common impulse. The number 

 issuing from a single large nest was often sufficient to have filled a 

 half liter measure. Soon every mound and disk was covered with the 

 bright red females and darker males, intermingled with workers, many 

 of whom kept on bringing seeds and dead insects into the nest as 

 unconcernedly as if nothing unusual were happening. The males and 

 females, quivering with excitement, mounted the stones or pebbles of 

 the nest or hurriedly climbed onto the surrounding leaves and grass 

 and rocked to and fro in the breeze. Then, raising themselves on their 

 feet and spreading their opalescent wings, they mounted obliquely one 

 by one into the air. I could follow them only for a distance of 10 or 

 20 m. when their rapidly diminishing bodies melted away against the 

 brilliant, cloudless sky. Many pairs, hesitating to take flight, chased 

 one another about on the surface of the nest. The amorous males 

 seized many of the females before they could leave the ground. 

 Lizards crept forth in great numbers and gulped down quantities of 

 the fat females, while others were borne off into the air by large robber 

 flies (Asilid;e). By a little after three o'clock the males and females 

 had left the nest and only the workers were seen pursuing the quiet 



