PIPERS AND MINNESINGERS 16 



From hedge to hedge about the new-mown mead ; 

 That is the grasshopper's. He takes the lead 

 In summer luxury." 



As may be inferred from these allusions these grass- 

 hoppers sing duriag the heat of the day. 



Other species of this same group of grasshoppers 

 make their music by rubbing the front surface of the 

 hind wings against the under surface of the wing 

 covers. This can only be accomplished when the 

 insect is flying. The note is a crackling sound ; how- 

 ever, it is no accidental noise ; it is as true a song as 

 any, as I am sure all observers will agree who have 

 seen one of these great, brown, roadside grasshoppers 

 fly up into the air and hold himself there poised for 

 minutes while he performs in apparent ecstasy his rapid, 

 monotonous pizzicato. James Whitcomb Riley has seen 

 him, as the following lines prove : — 



" Where the dusty highway leads, 

 High above the wayside weeds 

 They sowed the air with butterflies, like blooming 



flower seeds, 

 Till the dviU grasshopper sprung 

 Half a man's height up, and hung 

 Tranced in the heat with whirring wings and sung 

 and sung and sung." 



This description is so accurate that it actually 

 identifies the species. Mr. Riley is the prince among 



