The White-faced Decticus: his Habits 



ings between friends of different sexes, does 

 not last long. What do they say to each 

 other, forehead to forehead? Not much, 

 apparently, for soon they separate with 

 nothing further ; and each goes his way where 

 he pleases. 



Next day, the same two meet again. This 

 time, the song, though still very brief, is in 

 a louder key than on the day before, while 

 being still very far from the burst of sound 

 to which the Decticus will give utterance long 

 before the pairing. For the rest, it is a 

 repetition of what I saw yesterday: mutual 

 caresses with the antennae, which limply pat 

 the well-rounded sides. 



The male does not seem greatly enrap- 

 tured. He again nibbles his foot and seems 

 to be reflecting. Alluring though the enter- 

 prise may be, it is perhaps not unattended 

 with danger. Can there be a nuptial tragedy 

 here, similar to that which the Praying 

 Mantis has shown us? Can the business be 

 exceptionally grave ? Have patience and you 

 shall see. For the moment, nothing more 

 happens. 



A few days later, a little light is thrown 

 upon the subject. The male is underneath, 

 lying flat on the sand and towered over by 



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