86 AMONGST THE BEES AT WORK 



quieter and slower than that of the hosts, and a 

 cuckoo may easily be seen solemnly flying up 

 and down the bank, over the various holes, no 

 doubt watching for the proper opportunity to 

 enter one, and deposit its egg in it. This deliber- 

 ate flight seems a curious habit in a creature 

 which one would think would wish to escape 

 detection. If it seemed to inspire fear in the 

 mind of its host it would be different, but they 

 appear to fly about together unconcerned at each 

 other's presence, and the cuckoo sails along 

 demurely and imposes on its hosts' labours with- 

 out any apparent resentment on the latter' s part ; 

 both seem to accept their relationship as a matter 

 of course. Another very interesting frequenter 

 of sandy banks is a pretty little stout sandwasp, 

 about a quarter of an inch long, called Oxybelus. 

 It has a very bright silvery face which shines 

 most brilliantly in the sun, and the body has a 

 row of white spots on each side, and it brings 

 flies back to its nest. It is very active and 

 common, and may often be seen with its fly 

 going back to its hole. There is a rare species 

 of the same genus, which is clothed all over with 

 silvery hairs, and this in some places, curiously 



