94 WASPS AND THEIRWAYS 



nest is simple enough, and consists of but 

 a cluster of three small cells. 



Early in the summer the females of the 

 social wasp may be seen flying about, 

 searching everywhere for a good building- 

 site. 



One is suspicious that Madam Vespa 

 uses this nest-hunting as excuse for a 

 prolonged lark, seizing the opportunity to 

 investigate her little universe, and find out 

 a great many things besides the best loca- 

 tion for a home. The large yellow queens 

 of the yellow-jackets, may be seen flying 

 about in the spring, peering into every 

 cranny in the woods, investigating every 

 fallen log and heap of rubbish, poising on 

 vibrating wings under the eaves of build- 

 ings, examining every growing tree, bush, 

 or herb, and what is more noticeable, ex- 

 amining with equal minuteness any human 

 brother who happens to be abroad. Cer- 

 tainly they do not intend to suspend a 

 nest from any part of your person, yet 



