The Common Wasp 



ping with our finger the incipient tail of the 

 Sparrow whom we were rearing. The pupil 

 at once yawned, ready to receive his food. 

 I like to imagine that this system of bird- 

 training is still in vogue. But there is no 

 need of these stimulating preliminaries to 

 arouse the appetite of the Hornet's offspring. 

 They yawn of their own accord at the least 

 touch that I give to their cell. The lucky 

 creatures have ever-ready stomachs. 



Taking a piece of straw with a drop of 

 honey hanging from it, I place the delicious 

 ration between the grub's mandibles. There 

 is too much for a single mouthful. But the 

 breast swells into a dewlap which catches the 

 surplus. Here the grub will take a few more 

 sips, at its leisure, after swallowing the 

 spoonful which it received direct. When 

 there is no more left, when the pectoral plat- 

 ter is licked clean, the swelling disappears 

 and the larva resumes its immobility. 

 Thanks to this short-lived swelling, suddenly 

 flung out and as suddenly withdrawn, the 

 diner has its table spread beneath its chin; 

 without assistance from others, it finishes its 

 meal alone. 



When fed in my cage, the Wasps' grubs 

 have their heads up; and what escapes their 

 lips collects upon the dewlap. When fed 

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