The Climbing-Instinct 141 



The travellers need the kisses of the sun, which 

 give energy and vigour. 



At last, the whole family has disappeared, 

 carried afar by its flying-ropes. The mother 

 remains alone. The loss of her offspring hardly 

 seems to distress her. She retains her usual 

 colour and plumpness, which is a sign that the 

 maternal exertions have not been too much for 

 her. 



I also notice an increased fervour in the 

 chase. While burdened with her family, she 

 was remarkably abstemious, accepting only 

 with great reserve the game placed at her dis- 

 posal. The coldness of the season may have 

 militated against copious refections ; perhaps 

 also the weight of the little ones hampered 

 her movements and made her more discreet in 

 attacking the prey. 



To-day, cheered by the fine weather and able 

 to move freely, she hurries up from her lair 

 each time I set a tit-bit to her liking buzzing 

 at the entrance to her burrow ; she comes and 

 takes from my fingers the savoury Locust, the 

 portly Anoxia ; ^ and this performance is 



^ A species of Beetle. — Translator'' s Note. 



