214 NATURE'S STORY OF THE YEAR 



this cricket (resembling that of the grasshopper 

 warbler, or the noise caused by the winding of a 

 fishing-reel) is noticeable when once the attention 

 has been directed to it, although some persons 

 have a difficulty in distinguishing it at all on 

 account of its very high pitch. As might be 

 expected, the female insects are much less noisy 

 than the males. They may be at once recognised 

 by the presence of the long horn-like tail or 

 ovipositor. 



If cautiously approached, the cricket may be 

 taken in the hand. In hot weather, however, it is 

 very active and readily takes wing, when it will 

 sometimes fly to a considerable distance. Its 

 usual mode of escape is by diving straight down 

 through the shrub on which it may be perched 

 and hiding in the herbage beneath. 



Supposing the sound is heard from a hedgerow, 

 it by no means follows that the singer will be 

 readily found ; on the contrary, a person may pass 

 close to it and yet never see it. By listening very 

 intently, however, we may ascertain that the sound 

 comes from a certain small area in the hedge or 

 bush. Even then the insect may not be seen. 



