Feathers and Feelers 149 



Even the ground has Its quota of killers. These arc 

 chiefly spiders whose nimbleness of foot gives them an 

 additional advantage when seeking a hasty refuge in 

 the tops of reeds or other shore plants at every in- 

 coming tide. There is, however, an air-breathing crea- 

 ture here among the ground dwellers that is submerged 

 regularly — often for hours at a time — during the 

 periods of high water. The insect so distinguished is 

 the larva of the tiger beetle known to science as Ckin- 

 dela dors alls. 



Now the grub of Cicindela is worthy of our atten- 

 tion. For the seashore naturalist, it has an especial 

 interest in the fact of its being one of the very few 

 insects of the shore which are not known to occur any- 

 where else ; its individuality, though, would commend it 

 to any one's consideration. 



But where shall we look for this lethal larva? Not 

 in the vegetal debris; its soft, unprotected body makes 

 it too easy a prey for others thus to expose itself. The 

 truth is, its only safe resort is in the ground. Its bur- 

 row is quite numerous, as is testified by small holes that 

 perforate the surface, and is a vertical shaft some six 

 inches deep with a fairly even diameter of the size of 

 a slate pencil. This home Cicindela never leaves for a 

 moment, until the time of its metamorphosis, when it 

 emerges as a swift-flying beetle. How does it capture 

 its food? Well, if our watch be persevering, we shall 

 see an exhibition of its singular method. 



In the meantime it is to be observed that the grub 

 is nowhere in sight. This is due to its extreme timidity. 

 So cautious is it that our slightest movement is suflficient 

 to make it remain for some time in hiding. Presently, 



