IN IDLE MOMENT 31 



or did the lizards become victims to physical deteri- 

 oration incident upon gluttony and sloth ? 



"Into every instinctive act there is an intrusion 

 of reasoned act." No doubt; but in the case of the 

 terns — sea-frequenting and sea-loving — which had not 

 the wit to lay their eggs beyond the reach of spring 

 tides, the reasoning is the merest intrusion. Yet an 

 instance of what seems to be the reasoned act of a wasp 

 may be cited. The insect had selected a dead log of 

 soft wood as a site for its egg-shaft. It was at a spot 

 to which the occupations of the season took me daily, 

 so that the boring operations were watched from begin- 

 ning to end. The work was done rapidly and neatly, 

 and when all was ready for the deposit of the eggs 

 the insect constructed from papier-mach^-like material 

 a disc-shaped lid exactly fitting the mouth of the 

 excavation, to which it was attached on its upper 

 edge by a hinge. Then round and about the disc 

 similar stuff was plastered, so as to form an irregular 

 splash, imitative of a bird's droppings to the degree 

 of perfect deception. In the centre was the lid with 

 the hinge, and whensoever the insect visited its nursery 

 the lid swung up, closing behind it. On departure 

 it fell into position. Unless the insect by its presence 

 betrayed its secret, the shrewdest observer at close 

 quarters would have been misled. 



There are reasons for the belief that green tree-ants 

 understand and respect the laws of neutrality. There 

 are several communities in the mango-trees, and since 

 some of the trees overhang the fence, the top wire is 

 used as a highway. When a gate is opened traffic is 

 suspended. In a minute or two of a busy day there 

 will be considerable gatherings on the latch-style, and 

 if the intervening space is narrowed by the swing of 

 the gate the impatient insects begin to make a living 



