THE FIELD CRICKET. 279 



they stop short in the midst of their song, and retire 

 backward nimbly into their burrows, where they 

 lurk till all suspicion of danger is over. The Rev. 

 Mr. White, of Selborne, who attentively studied their 

 habits and manners,, at first made an attempt to dig 

 them out with a spade, but without any great suc- 

 cess ; for either the bottom of the hole was inacces- 

 sible, from its terminating under a large stone, or 

 else in breaking up the ground the poor creature 

 was inadvertently squeezed to death. Out of one 

 thus bruised, a great number of eggs were taken, 

 which w r ere long and narrow, of a yellow colour, 

 and covered with a very tough skin. More gentle 

 means were then used, and these proved successful. 

 A pliant stalk of grass, gently insinuated into the 

 caverns, will probe their windings to the bottom, 

 and bring out the inhabitant ; and thus the humane 

 enquirer may gratify his curiosity without injuring 

 the object of it. 



It is remarkable that, though these insects are fur- 

 nished with long legs behind, and brawny thighs 

 adapted for leaping, yet, when driven from their 

 holes, they shew no activity, but crawl along in so 

 lifeless a manner as easily to be caught. And though 

 they are provided with a curious apparatus of 

 wings, yet they never exert them, even when there 

 seems to be the greatest occasion. The males only- 

 make their shrill noise, perhaps out of rivalry and 

 emulation ; as is the case with many animals, which 

 exert some sprightly note during their breeding- 

 time. 



When the males meet, they sometimes fight very 



