WASPS, SOCIAL AND SOLITARY 



and the surface of the ground is smoothed over; but 

 this is just what happens. Aporus fasciatus entirely 

 lost her way when we broke off the leaf that covered 

 her nest, but found it, without trouble, when the missing 

 object was replaced. All of the species of Cerceris were 

 extremely annoyed if we placed any new object near 

 their nesting-places. One Ammophila refused to make 

 use of her burrow after we had drawn some deep lines 

 in the dust before it. The same annoyance is exhibited 

 when there is any change made near the spot upon 

 which the prey of the wasp, whatever it may be, is de- 

 posited temporarily. We learned from experience how 

 important it was not to disarrange the grass or plants 

 on such occasions. The wasps are in many cases so 

 prudent as to conceal their booty among the leaves ; and 

 this made it very inconvenient to keep our eyes upon 

 the captured prey, as was quite necessary if we wished 

 to follow it on its travels. To avoid the discomfort of 

 lying on the ground or of twisting the neck at some im- 

 possible angle for half an hour at a time, we sometimes 

 gently moved the intercepting objects to one side ; but 

 even such a slight change cost us dear in time and pa- 

 tience, as it threw the wasp out of her bearings and made 

 it difficult for her to recover her treasure. We recall 

 one exceedingly warm day in September when we were 



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