132 



BATTLE OF ANTS. 



Chap. V 



On some days not a single white ant is to be seen 

 abroad; and on others, and during certain hours, they 

 appear out of doors in myriads, and work with extra- 



Twnnels of Ants. 



ordinary zeal and energy in carrying bits of dried grass 

 down into their nests. During these busy reaping-fits 

 the lizards and birds have a good time of it, and enjoy a 

 rich feast at the expense of thousands of hapless work- 

 men ; and when they swarm they are caught in countless 

 numbers by the natives, and their roasted bodies are 

 spoken of in an unctuous manner as resembling grains of 

 soft rice fried in delicious fresh oil. 



A strong marauding party of large black ants attacked 

 a nest of white ones near the camp : as the contest took 

 place beneath the surface, we could not see the order of 

 the battle; but it soon became apparent that the blacks 

 had gained the day, and sacked the white town, for they 

 returned in triumph, bearing off the eggs, and choice bits 



