342 



Wasps : Their Life-History and Habits. 



[Sess. 



and anger, I went out and found the owl on a low wall, with 

 many blackbirds darting about and mobbing him, till one 

 more courageous than the others, made a rapid rush at him 

 and knocked him off the wall. I then thought it prudent to 

 interfere, and carried my bird to his barrel, when the tumult 

 ceased. 



Here we have frequent visits from a barn-owl, and one 

 evening last June, when we were sitting out in the garden 

 rather late, he came and made a dash, just over our heads, at 

 a sparrow's nest containing young in a Virginian creeper. It 

 was then getting dark, but we heard something fall on the 

 gravel walk, which I presume was a young bird, and that the 

 owl at the same time procured another from the nest. 



In order to encourage our nocturnal visitor to a more 

 intimate acquaintance, I have taken out a few bricks from a 

 loft wall and placed a box inside against the orifice, in the 

 hope that the owl may be induced to take possession of the 

 box for the purpose of nidification. Should we be so far 

 favoured, every protection will be afforded, and it will be very 

 interesting to notice the food brought to the young. 



We occasionally hear the wood-owl near us. 



VII.— WASPS: THEIR LIFE-HISTORY AND HABITS. 



By Mr A. MURRAY. 

 (Read Feb. 23, 1898.) 



In giving the following notes on the wasp (Vespa vulgaris), 

 it is not my intention to write a popular paper, but only to 

 lay before you some of the many observations I have made 

 on wasps in their natural state, and also a few of the ex- 

 periments I have tried with them, extending over a number 

 of years. I shall begin the life-history of the wasp in the 

 spring with the queen or mother wasp, who, like most of the 

 wild bees and other insects of a similar kind, hibernates 

 during six or seven months of the year — say from October 

 till March or April — when she comes forth in all her beauty 



