THE FIELD-CRICKET 125 



burrow is never made at a bare or conspicuous point ; it 

 is always commenced under the shelter of a faded leaf of 

 lettuce, the remains of the food provided. This takes the 

 place of the curtain of grass so necessary to preserve the 

 mysterious privacy of the establishment. 



The little miner scratches with his fore-claws, but also 

 makes use of the pincers of his mandibles in order to 

 remove pieces of grit or gravel of any size. I see him 

 stamping with his powerful hinder limbs, which are pro- 

 vided with a double row of spines ; I see him raking and 

 sweeping backwards the excavated material, and spread- 

 ing it out in an inclined plane. This is his whole method. 



At first the work goes forward merrily. The excavator 

 disappears under the easily excavated soil of his prison 

 after two hours' labour. At intervals he returns to the 

 orifice, always tail first, and always raking and sweeping. 

 If fatigue overcomes him he rests on the threshold of his 

 burrow, his head projecting outwards, his antennae 

 gently vibrating. Presently he re-enters his tunnel and 

 sets to work again with his pincers and rakes. Pre- 

 sently his periods of repose grow longer and tire my 

 patience. 



The most important part of the work is now com- 

 pleted. Once the burrow has attained a depth of a 

 couple of inches, it forms a sufficient shelter for the 

 needs of the moment. The rest will be the work of 

 time ; a labour resumed at will, for a short time daily. 

 The burrow will be made deeper and wider as the growth 

 of the inmate and the inclemency of the season demand. 

 Even in winter, if the weather is mild, and the sun smiles 

 upon the threshold of his dwelling, one may sometimes 

 surprise the Cricket thrusting out small quantities of 



