WASPS, SOCIAL AND SOLITARY 



around, and ran head-first into the nest. He probably 

 took another nap, for all was quiet until just before ten 

 o'clock, when the antennae appeared again. The survey 

 was taken as before, first from within and then with the 

 head in view. At last he flew out, and making three 

 circles, each one wider than the last, about the place, 

 flew away. He stayed out all day, and had not returned 

 at half past three in the afternoon ; but on going down 

 at half past four we found that he had gone in and closed 

 the door from below. 



It is clear, then, that these males do not construct a 

 new lodging every night, but return to the same spot to 

 sleep. Other wasps creep into crevices. We have often 

 found them, in the morning, in the holes of the posts of 

 our cottage porch; but we are glad to be able to put it 

 down to the credit of one male that he has sufficient 

 foresight and industry to provide a sleeping-place, and 

 sufficient intelligence to return to the spot when the de- 

 clining sun warns him that evening is approaching. 



While punctatus was in the height of its activity we 

 found another species, P. ventilabris, taking bees of 

 several genera and species into a ground nest. She also 

 carried her prey with her second pair of legs, and when- 

 ever she left her nest she closed the door. She was a 

 shy little thing, and did not approve of our interest in 



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