The Decticus: his Instrument 



the Cricket and even less with the harsh and 

 noisy efforts of the Cicada. In the quiet of 

 the evening, when only a few steps away, I 

 need little Paul's delicate ear to apprise me 

 of it. 



It is poorer still in the two dwarf Dectici 

 of my neighbourhood, Platycleis intermedia, 

 Serv., and P. grisea, Fab., both of whom are 

 common in the long grass, where the ground 

 is stony and exposed to the sun, and quick to 

 disappear in the undergrowth when you try 

 to catch them. These two fat songsters have 

 each had the doubtful privilege of a place in 

 my cages. 



Here, in a blazing sun beating straight 

 upon the window, are my little Dectici 

 crammed with green millet-seeds and also 

 with game. Most of them are lying in the 

 hottest places, on their bellies or sides, with 

 their hind-legs outstretched. For hours on 

 end they digest without moving and slumber 

 in their voluptuous attitude. Some of them 

 sing. Oh, what a feeble song! 



The ditty of the Intermediary Decticus, 

 with its strophes and pauses alternating at 

 equal intervals, is a rapid fr-r-r-r similar to 

 the Coaltit's, while that of the Grey Decticus 

 consists of distinct strokes of the bow and 



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