76 COMMON BRITISH INSECTS. 



being so fetid that one's hands smell for hours after 

 handling him ; and if he crawls on one's coat, or 

 other garments not often washed, the smell continues 

 for days. The whole tribe of Burying Beetles lay 

 their eggs in the bodies of dead animals, which, when 

 possible, they bury for the purpose. 



1 The Burying Beetles hunt in couples, male and 

 female, and when six or eight are found in a large 

 animal, they are almost sure to be males and females 

 in equal numbers. They hunt by scent only, the 

 chase being mostly performed when no other sense 

 would be very available viz. in the night. When 

 they have found a bird, great comfort is expressed by 

 the male, who wheels round and round above it like 

 an eagle ; the female settles on it at once, without 

 this testimonial of satisfaction. The male at last 

 settles also, and the bird undergoes the scrutiny of 

 four at least of the senses touch, smell, sight, and 

 taste for their heads are continually diving among 

 the feathers of the bird, and a savoury and ample 

 meal is made before the great work is begun. After 

 the Beetles have appeased the calls of hunger, the 

 bird is abandoned for a while ; they both leave it to 

 explore the earth in the neighbourhood, and ascertain 

 whether the place is suitable for interment. If on a 

 ploughed field, there is no difficulty ; but if on grass 

 or among stones, much labour is required to draw the 

 body to a more suitable place. 



' The operation of burying is performed almost 

 entirely by the male Beetle, the female mostly hiding 

 herself in the body of the bird about to be buried, or 

 sitting quietly upon it, and allowing herself to be 



