THE HOUSE CRICKET. 89 



21. THE HOUSE CRICKET. 



TENDER insects, says White, that live abroad, either 

 enjoy only the short period of one summer, or doze 

 away the cold, uncomfortable months in profound slum- 

 bers. But the house crickets, residing, as it were, in a 

 torrid zone, are always alert and merry. A good 

 Christmas fire is to them what the heat of the dog-day 

 is to others. 



Around in sympathetic mirth, 



Its tricks the kitten tries; 

 The cricket chirrups in the hearth, 

 The crackling faggot flies. 



As one would suppose, by their living near fires, they 

 are a thirsty race, and show a liking for liquids, being 

 frequently found drowned in pans of water, milk, broth, 

 or the like. Whatever is moist they seek for, and 

 therefore they gnaw holes in wet woolen stockings and 

 aprons that are hung near the fire. These animals are 

 not only very thirsty, but very hungry ; for they will 

 eat yeast, crumbs, and kitchen sweepings of almost 

 every description. 



In summer they have been seen to fly, when it be- 

 came dusk, out of the windows and over the neigh- 

 boring roofs. This accounts for their coming to new 

 houses where they were not known before pleased 

 with the moisture of the walls, and getting into the 

 soft cracks between the bricks. 



Common prejudice frequently prevents any attempt 

 being made to rid the house of this noisy animal. 

 Many persons imagine that their presence is attended 



