The Hunting Wasps 



in strength, two species divide the hunting 

 between them: the Common Wasp (Vespa 

 vulgaris), who catches Eristales, and the 

 Hornet (Fespa crabro), who preys on Hive- 

 bees. The methods are the same in either 

 case. Both bandits explore the expanse of 

 flowers with an impetuous flight, going back- 

 wards and forwards in a thousand directions, 

 and then make a sudden rush for the coveted 

 prey, which is on its guard and flies away 

 while the kidnapper's impetus brings her up 

 with a bump against the deserted flower. 

 Then the pursuit continues in the air, as 

 though a Sparrow-hawk were chasing a Lark. 

 But the Bee and the Eristalis, by taking brisk 

 turns, soon baffle the attempts of the Wasp, 

 who resumes her evolutions above the cluster- 

 ing blossoms. At last, sooner or later, some 

 quarry less quick at flight is captured. 

 Forthwith, the Common Wasp drops on to 

 the lawn with her Eristalis; I also instantly lie 

 on the ground, quietly removing with my 

 hands the dead leaves and bits of grass that 

 might interfere with my view; and I witness 

 the following tragedy, if I have taken proper 

 precautions not to scare the huntress. 



First, there is a wild struggle in the tangle 

 of the grass between the Wasp and the 

 134 



