1(30 NORTH AMERICAN INSECTS. 



when the young ones come out, and attain their per- 

 fect condition about the first of August, and in south- 

 ern climates even before that time. 



The Field Crickets, Acheta nigra et vittata, are black, 

 and so well known to every one, that a minute de- 

 scription of them would be superfluous. They live in 

 meadows, and the margins of fields where the grass is 

 not very high, and the spot constantly exposed to the 

 sun. They select a small spot of rising ground for 

 their abodes, which they make by digging holes into 

 the ground, at first in a horizontal direction, and then 

 perpendicularly downwards. They always walk into 

 their holes backwarks, that is to say, with their hind- 

 legs first, and while singing are usually standing be- 

 fore the entrance to their abodes, ready to retreat in 

 case of necessity. 



They eat grass, seeds and fruit, and with great in- 

 dustry carry their provisions into their holes, that they 

 may consume them at their leisure. They are very 

 fond of drinking, but are extremely delicate about it 

 and will only touch the water that adheres to leaves, 

 literally as well as poetically slaking their thirst with 

 only the dew of leaves and flowers. In their journeys 

 they are very careful to avoid water, and if a small 

 stream or puddle happens to be in their way they 

 carry pebbles into it, or grass or small pieces of wood 

 until they fill it up so that they can pass over it with- 



