Chapter X 



THE ENEMIES OF THE GRASSHOPPER 



EARLY in September a little black Tachytes sud- 

 denly became very common in the garden. The 

 first one that we saw was going forwards in a series of 

 long jumps, carrying a small grasshopper which was 

 held by the base of the antennae. She soon doubled on 

 her tracks, and it became evident that she did not know 

 her way; but after going about in circles for two min- 

 utes she ran into her nest. When she came out she 

 spent a long time in circling around, flying close to the 

 ground in wavy, snaky lines, occasionally alighting to 

 run a few steps; but in spite of this locality study, ten 

 minutes later, when she came jumping along with her 

 second grasshopper, she had lost her nest again and 

 hunted about just as before, twice going directly over 

 it without seeing it. While she was thus occupied an- 

 other wasp of the same species attacked her and tried 

 to get possession of the grasshopper, but the rightful 

 owner was able to defend it. At last it was stored away, 



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