316 WILD LIFE IN A SOUTHERN COUNTY. 



and, being so large, it is easier to watch their mode 

 of procedure. When a fly becomes entangled, the 

 spider seizes it by the poll, at the back of the head, 

 and holds it for a short time till it dies. Then he 

 rapidly puts a small quantity of web round it, and 

 next carries it to the centre of the web. There, taking 

 the dead fly on his feet much as a juggler plays with 

 a ball upon his toes the spider rolls it round and 

 round, enveloping it in a cocoon of web, and finally 

 hangs up his game head uppermost, and resumes his 

 own position head downwards. Another spider wraps 

 his prey in a cocoon by spinning himself and the fly 

 together round and round. At the end of September 

 or beginning of October acres of furze may be seen 

 covered with web in the morning, when the dew de- 

 posited upon it renders it visible. As the sun dries 

 up the dew the web is no longer seen. 



On September 21 of last year the rooks were soaring 

 and diving ; they continued to do this several days in 

 succession. I should like to say again that I attach 

 no importance to these dates, but give them for illus- 

 tration ; these, too, were taken in a warm district. 

 Rooks usually soar a good deal about the time of the 

 equinox. On September 29 the heaths and furze 

 were white with the spiders' webs alluded to above. 

 September 27, larks singing joyously. October 2, a 

 few grasshoppers still calling in the grass heard one 

 or two three or four days later. October 4, the ivy 

 in full flower. October 7, the thrushes singing again 

 in the morning. October 6 and 7, pheasants roaming 



