228 DEL AGO A BAY. 



and welded together that the mass looks like 

 earth. Should a nest unfortunately get struck 

 with the net whilst making a hasty dash at a 

 butterfly, it is well to fly ignominiously to a 

 safe distance for fear of consequences ; and the 

 same may be said regarding the hanging wasps' 

 nests, the inmates attacking furiously when 

 disturbed. 



Beetles are not very numerous here as com- 

 pared with other parts, and I have not been 

 able to observe many of their habits, with the 

 exception of the Scarabceus, who rolls up dung 

 into balls and drags them away to a previously 

 selected resting-place as a safe nest for her eggs, 

 and some very large black Carabidce, who raise 

 themselves high up on their long legs and then 

 vigorously tap the ground with their long 

 pointed bodies, making quite a distinct noise. 

 As these are carnivorous beetles, I suppose the 

 tapping is to make insects appear, though I have 

 never seen any result from it. After tapping 

 and waiting some time in one place, the beetle 

 marches on and taps and waits again. 



