128 FRESH WOODS. 



corner where I was standing. I had spotted 

 them so far pretty accurately. Now to find 

 their nest. 



In the corner of the meadow, just over the 

 fence, are three pollard willows. In the 

 head of one of these I soon observed a big 

 hole, in and out of which a constant stream of 

 hornets passed. The bulk of them seemed to 

 come from the orchard; but some arrived 

 from the opposite direction. One of the 

 orchard hornets recognized me, I feel sure ; 

 he came buzzing about my head unpleasantly, 

 as much as to say, " Go away, naughty old 

 man ! I am sure you are up to no good, and 

 this is dangerous ground ! " 



I had tracked them home. They had 

 selected their domicile with remarkable de- 

 fensive instinct against attack from their 

 natural enemy man. Three sides of the 

 little corner on which the tree stands is sur- 

 rounded by a moat full of water 6 feet deep 

 and 10 feet wide ; the fourth side is formed 

 by the tall park paling, over which I was 

 looking at them. This little island of about 

 thirty yards in circumference would have 

 been practically unapproachable, but for 

 some posts and rails, which made an in- 

 secure passage at one end. 



It is a curious fact that not one man about 



