236 WASPS AND THEIR WAYS 



The wasp goes on provisioning what 

 she believes to be the larder of her own 

 oflfspring, wholly unconscious that the 

 chrysis has outwitted her, and that she is 

 labouring for the progeny of her hated foe. 



When the Virginia wasp had finished 

 the nest, stored it with provisions and laid 

 her egg, she carefully sealed the entrance 

 with mud and went away, leaving her 

 progeny to care for itself. 



She spent part of two days making her 

 nest. 



At first she was shy and would not 

 work when closely observed, but she soon 

 lost all fear of her human friends, and 

 burrowed away as if she had the whole 

 place to herself. She often stopped to rest 

 and to sip the nectar from wild flowers 

 that grew near the door-step. 



The second morning of her work was 

 rainy, and like all her tribe, she declined to 

 expose her person to the storm ; but when 

 the sun shone out in the afternoon, there 



