OF WASHINGTON. 257 



distance, returned again to the identical spot and went through 

 the same operation as before. After this was repeated three 

 or four times it ran about again for a moment, and then flew 

 away. In a very short time it returned, however, to the same 

 place, ran about like before till it found the identical spot, and 

 went through the same performance for several times like be 

 fore. After it got through with these ceremonies it ran a 

 short distance and picked up with its mandibles a small pebble, 

 carried it to the mysterious spot and deposited it on top of it, 

 pressing it at the same time down as much as possible to insure 

 its remaining in position. Running then again a short distance 

 it picked up another pebble and placed it close to the first one ; 

 after awhile a third was added. No more pebbles of the de 

 sired size being near enough at hand it ran some distance far 

 ther, when it came across a pebble which appeared to suit its 

 purposes ; took hold and lifted it, but, unfortunately, the shape 

 of this little stone was such that it slipped from its jaws. It 

 tried again and again for quite awhile to obtain a good hold, 

 though without success, when it left it in apparent disgust. 

 Running about after this failure for some time in search for a 

 more suitable stone, but not finding what was wanted, she re 

 turned to its little monument of pebbles, commenced to re 

 arrange and to press them again down as much as possible. 

 After being satisfied that everything was well done she flew 

 away, not to return. I then removed the pebbles and exam 

 ined the surface, but found no trace that anything had been 

 deposited beneath them or that the sand had been disturbed. 



FIG. ii. I^arva of Heterocampa sub-albicans, with egg of Ammophila 

 nat. size (original). 



To satisfy myself, however, if anything might be hidden in the 

 earth under the pebbles which might have attracted the atten- 



