1 30 THE FOOD OF ANIMALS 



which construct snares of corresponding dimensions, and stated 

 to be strong enough to capture small birds. 



A less-complex and differently-placed snare is constructed by 

 the common Field Spider (Agalena labyrinthicd), of which the 

 dense white webs are often to be observed on heaths and com- 

 mons, stretched horizontally among such plants as furze. These 

 are often extremely abundant, and seen when covered with dew 

 in the early morning are exceedingly conspicuous. A dwelling 

 for the spider in the form of a silken tub hangs down vertically 

 from some part of the web, and at the mouth of this the occupant 

 remains on the look-out for prey. The House-Spiders (species of 

 Ttgenaria) (fig. 399) are members of the same family, and their 

 dirty-looking snares, familiarly called " cobwebs ", are connected 

 at one corner with the den of the spider, in this case a horizontally- 

 placed tube open at both ends and slung from a support by means 

 of a number of strong threads. 



HUNTERS. The above will perhaps serve to give an idea of 

 the way in which snare -spinning spiders secure their prey, and 

 we may now turn our attention to some of the Hunting Spiders, 

 which secure their victims either by craft or speed, or it may be 

 by a combination of the two. Here are included the largest and 

 most repulsive -looking members of the order, the Bird-catching 

 Spiders of tropical and hot regions. A well-known South Ameri- 

 can species (Mygale avicularia) (see fig. 384) has been described 

 by Bates and other naturalists as of nocturnal habit, preying on 

 all sorts of animals from birds downwards. As these creatures 

 do not spin webs for the capture of prey, there is not the same 

 need for well-developed claws, and we accordingly find that these 

 are small, while tufts of hair are present, which are used as 

 climbing pads, enabling the creature to scale smooth and steep 

 surfaces. 



The Wolf- Spiders (fig. 400) include smaller species which run 

 with great rapidity, and are thus enabled to overtake their prey. 

 A number of small British spiders (species of Lycosa, &c.) belong 

 to this group, but a much more notable species is the Tarantula 

 (Lycosa tarantula] of South Europe, a larger kind, reputed to have 

 a most virulent bite, only to be cured by extremely rapid dancing 

 to appropriate music. This is, indeed, the origin of the dance 

 known as the tarantella. One of our smaller native kinds of 

 Wolf- Spider (Lycosa piratical) haunts the margins of ponds, and 



