INSECT HOME-BUILDEBS AND THEIR TOOLS. 271 



of their fellows. The insects, however, do not con- 

 fine their offices to other insects, for if they find the 

 dead body of any small animal or bird, several unite 

 in their efforts, get beneath it and dig with great 

 energy, shoving aside with their hind legs the dirt 





''"'" 



> -f. 



v. 



, ^- P y 





:i 







Mole cricket and her neat. 



they excavate, without pausing, until the body gradu- 

 ally sinks below the level of the surrounding earth. 



When it has sunken low enough to serve their 

 purposes, having first deposited their eggs in the 

 body, they throw over it the earth they have exca- 

 vated, carefully leveling and smoothing the ground 

 above the grave. 



In conclusion, it may be said that the habits and 



