136 WASPS AND THEIR WAYS 



men wish also to enjoy the mountain 

 slopes, as most climbers have had reason 

 to know. The hornets, no doubt, cannot 

 comprehend a mental condition which 

 sends creatures wandering about strange 

 forests for the mere pleasure of wandering, 

 and when they see the terrifying biped 

 approach and intrude upon what they con- 

 sider their territory, wild with fear and rage 

 they sally forth, and without word of warn- 

 ing smite the happy and unsuspecting pil- 

 grim into a temporary indifference to the 

 beauties of nature. 



They like also to build in swampy places, 

 but they are not very conservative on the 

 subject of building-sites, and often choose 

 to hang their nests in a snug corner under 

 the rafters of a barn or the eaves of a 

 building. 



In hot countries the social wasps are 

 more abundant than in temperate climates, 

 and all sorts of queer-looking nests may be 

 met with in the forests and jungles of the 



