XXVII 



TERMITES (WHITE ANTS) 



333 



narrow part of the wing near the body, leaving four 

 short stumps. These insects usually swarm just before 

 the rains ; emerging from the nest in myriads, they are 

 preyed upon by birds, animals and men. After shed- 

 ding their wings they fall to the ground and become 



An Ant-hill of unusual shape on the Baringo Plain. (Photo by 

 Mr. F. C Cobb. From Powell-Cotton's Unknown Africa.) 



available for reptiles and ants. The winged termites are 

 the sexual form, and, on the ground, the males may be 

 seen chasing the females, and in this stage they are the 

 easy helpless prey of the ants. 



The natives look for the swarming of termites with 

 the same interest as sportsmen look for pheasants and 

 the London poor for fresh herrings, and they secure them 



