1 58 INSECT OBSER VA TION. 



flies these are constantly to be found poised on 

 the laurels, although only for a few moments' rest 

 between their aerial games. It gives one a sense 

 of pleasure to watch anything so absolutely happy 

 as these creatures seem. Three or four will start 

 off at once for a frolic, whizzing through the air, 

 performing a sort of " ladies' chain " evolution, each 

 seizing the other for a rapid whirl or two, then, 

 exchanging partners, faster than the eye can 

 follow them they skim through the air, and finally 

 return to their leaves to rest. Each species has 

 its own style of flight. The sun flies have the 

 power of remaining motionless, poised in air for a 

 considerable time, whilst they watch any object 

 that interests them. Their wings vibrate so rapidly 

 as to be invisible, but if you attempt to catch 

 one with a net, away, with a dart, the fly is off 

 into space only to return in a moment as if to 

 mock your clumsy attempt to capture it. 



Now your attention is arrested by the quivering 

 antennae of a long-bodied fly that is stealthily 

 prying into leafy crevices, seeking for some living 

 object, a caterpillar or chrysalis, into which it may 

 insert its egg. The grub when hatched will feed 



