WATER-STRIDERS 



the eyes can haixUy follow them. But by-aiid-by, fix- 

 ing the attention first upon one pair alone, then upon 

 another and another in order, it appears that the middle 

 pair of legs (not the last pair, as has been asserted) are 

 used as oars. They are plied just as a boatman plies 

 his oars, whether to move straight forward, or to swerve 

 to this side or that, or to turn about. The hind legs 

 are hekl steady, seeming to serve as a rudder, while the 

 fore legs are lifted up, bent at the "knees" — as one may 

 say — and are thus ready to seize any chance edible that 

 may drift by. Thus it appears that our little vital 

 craft may be said to be "manned" by a rower, a steers- 

 man, and a harpooner who stands at the bow to transfix 

 the game! 



And what is the game? On what do water-striders 

 feed? Chiefly on insects that flutter over and drift 

 upon the surface. As they flit to and fro over the water, 

 darting here and there in the sunshine, they seem to be 

 in a merry play. In truth, however, it is serious duty 

 that engages them, for they are hmiting their daily 

 bread. In the early April days, in which these notes 

 are written, that is not an easy task, for insects are 

 scarce. Yet even now there are some small flies abroad. 



Leaning upon the rail of the rustic bridge that spans 

 the brook, you may see them, by the soft light of the 

 setting sun that slants straight upon the stream, rising 

 and falling and circling through the air near the water. 

 Now and then one touches the surface. Then you will 

 see a rush of wingless striders, and — alas for the luckless 

 fly! Though oftener, indeed, quite unconscious of the 

 unseen danger it had barely escaped, it flutters away 

 and resumes its seesawing flight. 



Will water-striders feed on the juices of such animals 



263 



