THE ROVE BEETLES. 



465 



of our rivers and ponds, but always choosing a still spot, where they are overshadowed 

 by the bank or an overhanging tree, for the locality wherein they perform their mazy 

 dance. These insects are very hardy, and even on a winter's day the Whirlwigs may 

 be seen taking advantage of the least gleam of sunshine and wheeling around their 

 complicated maze as merrily as if the warm winds of summer were breathing on 

 them. 



PASSING by several large and interesting families, we come to the curious creatures 

 which will at once be recognized by reference to the illustration. These beetles are 

 popularly known by the name of ROVE BEETLES, or COCKTAILS, the latter name being 

 given to them on account of their habit of curling up the abdomen when they are alarmed 

 or irritated. The common BLACK 

 COCKTAIL has, when it assumes 

 this attitude, standing its ground 

 defiantly with open jaws and ele- 

 vated tail, so diabolical an aspect 

 that the rustics generally call it 

 the devil's coach-horse. It has, 

 moreover, the power of throwing 

 out a most disgusting odor, which 

 is penetrating and persistent to a 

 degree, refusing to be driven off 

 even with many washings. 



These beetles are termed Sta- 

 phylinidae, or Brachelytra, the lat- 

 ter term signifying short elytra, 

 and being a very apposite name, 

 as the elytra are short, square, and 

 not more than one-fourth the 

 length of the abdomen. These 

 beetles are very ready at flight, 

 the smaller species being especi- 

 ally obnoxious on account of their 

 habit of getting into the eyes and 

 nostrils on the summer evenings 



Popularly they are then thought to be flies, but if captured, their true nature is easily 

 discoverable. If we watch one of these beetles settling after its flight, we shall see the 

 object of its flexible tail. The wings are so large, and the elytra so small, that the 

 process of folding the delicate membranes could not be completed without some, 

 external aid. When the insect alights, it suddenly furls its wings into loose folds that 

 irresistibly remind the observer of a half-furled topsail, and then by means of its tail, 

 it pushes the wings under the elytra, which are then shut down. This process, al- 

 though rather elaborate, is effected in a very rapid manner. The forceps of the ear- 

 wig are employed for the same purpose, the elytra being as proportionately small, and 

 the wings as proportionately large, as those of the Cocktail. 



The Cocktails are carrion feeders, and the bite of the larger species is often rather 

 poisonous, on account of the putrid matter which is apt to adhere to them. I have 

 known a man to have his hand swollen and rendered useless for a week in consequence 

 of the bite of one of these insects. 



The two species which are represented in the illustration are common in England. 

 The lower figure represents the Creophilus maxillosus, which is plentiful in and about 

 drains or dead animal matter, and may be known by the gray hairy look of the elytra. 

 There is a smaller species (Staphylinus erythropterus) which has the elytra of a dusky 

 red, and is not so common as the preceding insect. I have often remarked that 

 the red-backed shrike is very fond of this insect, and used to find the nests of the 

 shrike by means of the beetles that the bird had stuck upon the thorns near its 

 home. 



ROVE BEETLES. 



'Ocypus oleas. 



Creophilus. 



