METHODS OF DEFENCE. 63 



he has been regarded as a human caricature and 

 covered with ridicule. We obtain a very much 

 higher idea of him if we compare him with other 

 animals. Always and everywhere there has been 

 a prejudiced insistance on his defects ; we perceive 

 them so easily because they are an exaggeration 

 of our own ; but he also possesses qualities of the 

 first order. 



As an example of flight arranged with intelligence, 

 we have already seen how the Formica fusca profits 

 by the difficulty experienced by the Polyergus in 

 climbing. It hastily gains the summit of a blade of 

 grass, to place there in safety the larvae which the 

 others wish to carry away. The ruses adopted in 

 flight are as varied as those of attack. Every animal 

 tries to profit as much as possible by all his resources. 



Larks, a feeble race of birds, rise higher in the air 

 than any rapacious bird, and this is often a cause of 

 safety. Their greatest enemy is the Hobby {^Hypo- 

 triorchis sublutes). They fear him greatly, so that as 

 soon as one appears singing ceases, and each suddenly 

 closes his wings, falls to the earth and hides against 

 the soil. But some have mounted so high to pour 

 out their clear song that they cannot hope to reach 

 the earth before being seized. Then, knowing that 

 the bird of prey is to be feared when he occupies a 

 more elevated position from which he can throw him- 

 self on them, they endeavour to remain always 

 above him. They mount higher and higher. The 

 enemy seeks to pass them, but they mount still, 

 until at last the Hobby, heavier, and little accustomed 

 to this rarefied air, grows tired and gives up the 

 pursuit.^ 



^ Nalurgeschichte der Vooel Deiitchslands, etc. 



