INSECTS 397 



some giant of the forest the female settles on it at once, with- 

 out this testimonial of satisfaction; the male at last settles also, 

 and a savoury and ample meal is made before the great work 

 is begun. After the beetles have appeased the calls of hunger, 

 the bird is abandoned for a while; they both leave it to explore 

 the earth in the neighbourhood, and ascertain whether there is 

 a place suitable for interment; if on a ploughed field there is 

 no difficulty, but if on grass, or among stones, much labour 



Fig. 917. Sexton-Beetles (Necrophorus) burying a small Animal. 



is required to draw it to a more suitable place. The operation 

 of burying is performed almost entirely by the male beetle, the 

 female mostly hiding herself in the body of the bird about to 

 be buried, or sitting quietly upon it and allowing herself to be 

 buried with it. The male begins by digging a furrow all round 

 the bird at the distance of about half an inch, turning the earth 

 outside. His head is the only tool used in this operation; it 

 is held sloping outwards, and is exceedingly powerful. After 

 the first furrow is completed another is made within it, and the 

 earth is thrown into the first furrow; then a third furrow is 

 made, and this is completely under the bird, so that the beetle, 

 whilst working at it, is out of sight. Now the operation can only 



