24 THE INDUSTRIES OF ANIMALS. 



utilised for a particular function ; it is one of the 

 intermediate cases, already referred to, between the 

 true industries involving ingenuity and the simple 

 phenomena due to adaptations and modifications of 

 the body. 



Hunting in the divelling or in the burrow. — All 

 these methods of hunting or of fishing by surprise are 

 for the most part practised by the less agile species 

 which cannot obtain their prey by superior fleetness. 

 Midway between these two methods may be placed 

 that which consists in surprising game when some 

 circumstance has rendered it motionless. Sometimes 

 it is sleep which places it at the mercy of the hunter, 

 whose art in this case consists in seeking out its 

 dwelling. Sometimes he profits by the youth of the 

 victim, like all bird-nesters, whose aim is to eat the 

 eggs or to devour the young while still incapable of 

 flying. The animals who eat birds' eggs are numer- 

 ous both among mammals and reptiles, as well as 

 among birds themselves. 



The Alligator of Florida and of Louisiana delights 

 in this chase. He seeks in particular the Great Boat- 

 Tail {Qutscalus major~) which nests in the reeds at the 

 edge of marshes and ponds. When the young have 

 come out and are expecting from their parents the 

 food which the chances of the hunt may delay, they 

 do not cease chirping and calling by their cries. But 

 the parents are not alone in hearing these appeals. 

 They may also strike the ears of the alligator, who 

 furtively approaches the imprudent singers. With 

 a sudden stroke of his tail he strikes the reeds 

 and throws into the water one or more of the 

 hungry young ones, who are then at his mercy. 

 (Audubon.) 



