The Chorus of the Forest 



those beneath the oats scouts searching for food; 

 the army was around decaying wood and below 

 deep layers of leaves on the floor of the forest. 



In a glittering black mass they poured out by 

 the thousand when disturbed; some in their haste 

 leaped ujjon the backs of those in front and ran 

 over them. Of course, I know there are differing 

 species of the cricket family that choose suitable 

 locations. I am merely stating that the largest, 

 most prosjierous branch in the whole world lives in 

 the forest. 



When I made this study grasshoppers sang 

 around the fence, and many strayed to the interior, 

 so that their notes came almost constantly; but by 

 close listening j^ou could distinguish fractions of 

 a second when their voices were silent. Many 

 katy-dids homed there and boasted much of the 

 prowess of their ancestors. Locusts answered each 

 other in rapid succession, but you could separate 

 the call from the answer. To the "Chirr-r-r-r-r!" 

 of the crickets there Avas no beginning and never 

 the hint of an ending. Millions of these shining, 

 black-coated little musicians sang in concert and 

 unceasingly. There was no question but their 

 voices formed the dominant insect note of the 

 forest. 



Crickets are not compatible with good house- 

 keeping because they cut fabrics. But of all in- 

 sects people tolerate them most. One little piece 



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