144 SOME WONDERS OF THE ANIMAL KINGDOM. 



to remove, the ant-lion abandons the spot and builds its abode somewhere else. 

 When completed, the pit is about two inches deep, and the ant buries itself in 

 the bottom, with only its jaws visible. It is now on the watch, and it hasn't long 

 to wait, before some insect, wandering about, stops on the edge of the pit, probably 

 to see what has been going on. The treacherous sand gives way under it, and its 

 struggles only help it to roll down into the jaws waiting to receive it. 



Should recent rain hold the particles of sand together, so that the insect can 

 sustain itself, and should it start to crawl to the top before its descent is completed, 

 the ant-lion scrambles out and begins flinging dirt on the head of its prey with 

 such skill, and in such quantities, that it is soon overwhelmed and devoured. 



Having sucked the juices from the insect, the shell is flung to a considerable 

 distance beyond the ramparts, so that other insects, passing that way, will not take 

 alarm at the sight. 



The ant-lion continues business for two years at the old stand, when it sinks 

 deeper in the sand, spins a silken cocoon, is transformed into a chrysalis, and in 

 three weeks emerges a perfect insect. 



There are many wild bees in South Africa. They make their nests in the clefts 

 of rocks, and the natives display a good deal of cunning in hunting them out and 

 extracting the honey, which is carried in leather bags made for the purpose. 



A great help to the South African in hunting the bees' nests is the honey-bird 

 Having found the retreat of the industrious insects, the honey-bird knows better 

 than to disturb them, but looks out for some one to open the way for it. It will fly 

 in front of the first person it sees, uttering sharp screams, and often pausing, as an 

 invitation for him to follow. If he is slow, the bird becomes impatient and cries 

 more excitedly than before. 



When the bird has guided the native to the spot, it perches itself on a rock 01 

 bush and quietly waits until the store of sweets has been removed. The native 

 does not forget his friend, but leaves the comb with the young bees for its reward, 

 and you may be sure it enjoys a feast. 



Bob Marshall and Dick Brownell were so interested in this bird that they 

 offered a liberal price for its capture, but Pongo, Diedrick and the rest of the com- 

 pany were as much opposed as the other friendly natives, whom they occasionally 

 saw, to its capture. They held it in such high esteem that they were unwilling to 

 degrade it by imprisonment. 



Among the rocks and stones was found an insect so exactly like them in colo r , 

 and sometimes in shape, that it never would have been discovered had it not been 

 in motion a moment before. When the birds alight near it in quest of food, the 

 insect, which belongs to the Gryllus tribe (including the cricket, grasshopper, 

 locust and the like), remains motionless. The vigilant bird may be but a few 

 inches distant, but, with all its keenness of vision, is unable to distinguish the 

 insect, which is thus saved on the principle of the chameleon, which has the power 

 of accommodating to a certain extent its color to the object upon which if happens 

 to have taken refuge. 



