DOOR-STEP NEIGHBORS 63 



proximity of the tempter, failed in their oppor- 

 tunity, and the trap was soon seen carefully set 

 again, flush with the ground at the mouth of the 

 burrow. 



The contrast of these clean -swept door-yards 

 with the mound of debris of the ants suggested an 

 investigation of the comparative methods of bur- 

 rowing and the disposal of the excavated mate- 

 rial. Here is a hole evidently some inches in 

 depth ; what, then, has become of the earth re- 

 moved ? Suiting action to the thought, I swept 

 into the openings of two or three of the holes 

 quite a quantity of loose earth scraped from the 

 close vicinity, and thus completely obliterated the 

 opening of burrow, door-yard and all. 



I awaited in vain any sign of returning activity 

 at the surface, and, my patience being somewhat 

 taxed, I entered my studio, where I remained for 

 a quarter of an hour, perhaps. Upon stealing 

 cautiously to the doorway, I observed all the oblit- 

 erated holes had reappeared, and upon taking 

 once more my original position I was soon re- 

 warded with a demonstration of the method of 

 excavation. After a moment or two a pellet of 

 earth seemed suddenly to rise from within the 

 cavity, and when arrived at the level of the 

 ground was suddenly shot forth a distance of five 



