THE BURROWERS 



although she ought to have realized earlier that it would 

 be easier to dig one nest than two. 



We now tried to excavate a nest, but could not follow 

 the tunnel, although we found clumps of ants at differ- 

 ent levels, some with larvae feeding on them. The deep- 

 est were eighteen inches down. Hoping to secure a guide, 

 we borrowed an ant as it was dropped in the doorway 

 and tied a thread to it. The wasp pulled it in and took 

 it part way down with this attachment ; but before any 

 great depth was reached, the thread was seemingly 

 bitten off, as we found the free end without the ant. 

 A second attempt brought no better results. 



So long as we were quiet the wasps did not notice us, 

 but after being disturbed they became shy and circled 

 about a good deal before entering. Some of the ants 

 were completely paralyzed, while others moved their 

 abdomens, legs, and mouth parts. All through the morn- 

 ing, the whole place was in a bustle, but when we came 

 back, after eating our luncheon in a shady spot, quiet 

 reigned; the colony seemed asleep, and although we 

 waited for an hour not a wasp showed herself. 



The ants that these wasps were bringing all had wings. 



The European genus Fertonius takes worker ants which 



can be picked up anywhere; but so far as we know, 



these queens leave the nest only at the time of their 



173 



