THE CARPENTERS 



PRETTY little wasps, shaped and col- 

 oured more like yellow-jackets than 

 mud-daubers, construct their nests in 

 wood, burrowing into logs or boards and 

 there chipping out a cavity large enough 

 to contain the egg and its provisions. 



They are usually of small size, with 

 black, shining bodies ringed with one or 

 more bands of yellow. 



Some of them are so yellow-jacket-like 

 in appearance that their occupation is all 

 that distinguishes them to the eye of the 

 hasty observer. 



,^^.^=:— They are pretty, busy little 

 ^^;2' creatures, very alert and 

 quick in their movements. 

 -^"^--'^ ^ Their heads are much 

 larger in proportion than the heads of the 



yellow-jackets, and they have large, strong 

 232 



