216 Kansas Academy of Science. 



Of other insects noticeable along the roadside and in the 

 orchards the striking bird grasshopper (Scliistocerca ameri- 

 cana) was quite common. 



Occasionally one of the spiny lizards {Sceloporus u. undu- 

 latus) might be surprised in the road. He would run along 

 the smooth surface for a distance, then scamper into the bushes. 

 It is interesting to see how close they will allow you to get 

 if you move quietly and slowly. I found a specimen one morn- 

 ing on a post, sunning himself. As I carelessly moved toward 

 him he climbed around on the opposite side. Then very 

 quietly I reached a position where I could get a full view of 

 him. I extended my hand cautiously toward him. While 

 doing this he would tilt his head up at me and blink his eyes= 

 If I made a slight irregular movement, he w^ould go a few 

 inches down the post. Finally my hand was close enough so 

 that by a sudden thrust I caught him. Lizards seem to think 

 that anything which is apparently motionless is harmless. 



The orchards abound in bird life — doves, thrushes and 

 finches. The mocking-bird loves to build its nest in a thickly 

 leaved tree, while the dove, as usual, scrapes a few sticks to- 

 gether almost any^vhere. Where the orchard meets the wood 

 you may rarely see one of those beautiful blue finches {Gid- 

 raca coeridea) perched on a tree-top. 



The chipmunk makes his home in the clearings. 



I wish now to take you down a favorite hollow. Here the 

 undergrowth has been burnt out so that you can see to the 

 top of the ridge on either side. The birds are scarce and, 

 as they are everywhere in the woods about, very shy and diffi- 

 cult of approach. The woodpecker is a-tapping away, while 

 the vireo with his plaintive notes entices you on. 



Soon you will come to a spring which goes gliding away for 

 a few rods, then disappears in a rocky bed. In the spring, 

 which is as clear as a crystal, upon stooping to drink, I saw 

 what appeared to be a minnow. I dipped him up with my 

 net, and what did I have but a pretty little salamander scarcely 

 two inches long. He had surely chosen a pleasant place to 

 live in the summer-time. 



As we move along, capturing an insect here and there, our 

 ear catches a slight sound of rustling leaves. If we watch 

 close, at the next rustle we may see a tiny lizard dart under 

 the leaves. By dashing to the spot and clapping your hands 

 onto the leaves where we saw the sprite disappear, then with 



