CHAPTER XX.

SUB-AQUATIC NESTS.

INVERTEBRATES.

A Pool and its wonders-The WATER SPIDER-Its sub-aquatic nest-Conveyance

of air to the nest-The diving bell anticipated-Character of the air in the

nest-Mr. Bell's experiments upon the Spider-Life of the Water Spider-The

HYDRACHNA-The CADDIS FLIES and their characteristics-Sub-aquatic homes

of the Larva-Singular varieties of form and material-Life of a Caddis-De-

scription of nests in my own collection-Fixed cases, and modification of Larva

-Singular materials for nest-building-CORALS and their general history-The

Coral of commerce-Development and extension of the Coral-How fresh

colonies are founded-Various Corals and their growth-Submarine tube-

makers-The SERPULE and their general habits-The Operculum of the

Serpula The TEREBELLE and their submarine houses-The CADDIS SHRIMP-

Remarkable analogy
377

CHAPTER XXI.

SOCIAL HABITATIONS.

SOCIAL MAMMALIA.

The BEAVER-Its form and aquatic habits-Need for water and means used to

procure it-Quadrupedal engineering-The dam of the Beaver-Erroneous

ideas of the dam-How the Beaver cuts timber-The Beaver in the Zoological

Gardens-Theories respecting the Beaver's dam-How the timber is fastened

together-Form of the dam, and mode of its enlargement-Beaver-dams and

coral reefs-The house or lodge of the Beaver-Its locality and structure-Use

of a subterranean passage-How Beavers are hunted-Curious superstition—

"Les Paresseux "

411

CHAPTER XXII.

SOCIAL BIRDS.

The SOCIABLE WEAVER BIRD and its country-Description of the bird- Nest of

the Sociable Weaver-How begun and how carried on-Materials of the nest-

The tree on which the nest is built, and its uses-Dimensions of the nest and

disastrous consequences-A Hottentot and a lion-Supposed object of the

Social nest-Average number of inhabitants-Analogy with Dyak houses-

Enemies of the Sociable Weaver; the monkey, the snake, and the parrakeet 416

CHAPTER XXIII.

SOCIAL INSECTS.

Arrangement of groups-Nests of POLYBIA-Curious method of enlargement—

Structure of the nests-How concealed-Various modes of attachment-A

curious specimen-The HIVE BEE, and its claims to notice-General history of

the hive-Form of the cells-The royal cell, its structure and use-Uses of the

ordinary cells-Structure of the Bee-cell-Economy of space-How produced—

Theories of different mathematicians-Measurement of angles-A logarithmic

table corrected by the bee-cell-The "lozenge," a key to the cell-How to form

it-Beautiful mathematic proportions of the lozenge-Method of making the

cell or a model-Conjectured analogy between the cell and certain crystals-

Effect of the cell upon honey-The HORNET and its nest-Its favourite localities

-Difficulties of taking a hornet's nest-Habits of the insect-Mr. Stone's method

of taking the nest-The SYNCA and its habitation-Beautiful nests in the

British Museum-Description of the insect-Nest of the EUCHEIRA-Its ex-

ternal form-Curious discovery in dissection—A suspended colony-Conjectures

respecting the structure-Nest from the Oxford Museum-Remarkable form of

its doors, and material of which it is made-The SMALL ERMINE MOTH, and

its ravages-Its large social habitation-General habits of the larva-why the

sparrow does not eat them-The GOLD-TAILED MOTH, and its beautiful social

nest-Description of a specimen from Wiltshire-Illustration of the theory of

heat-The BROWN-TAILED MоTH and its nest-Social habitations of the PEACH

and SMALL TORTOISESHELL BUTTERFLIES.
421

CHAPTER XXIV.

SOCIAL INSECTS (CONTINUED).

A curious Ant from India (Myrmica Kirbii)—Locality of its nest-Description

of the nest, its material and mode of structure-A nocturnal misadventure-

The DRIVER ANT of Africa-Description of the insect-Reason for its name-

Its general habits-Destructive powers of the Driver Ant-How the insects

devour meat and convey it home-How they kill snakes-Native legend of

the python-Their mode of march-Fatal effects of the sunbeams-An extem-

porised arch-Method of escaping from floods-Site of their habitation-Modes

of destroying them-Living ladders and their structure-Method of crossing

streams-Tenacity of life-A decapitated Ant-Mode of biting-Description of

the insect-Curious nest of a Brazilian Wasp-Weight of the nest and method

of attachment-Variety of Polistes nest-Polistes aterrimus and its singular

nest-Beautiful structure of an unknown Polistes
446

CHAPTER XXV.

PARASITIC NESTS.

Various Parasites-Parasitic Birds-The CUCKOO and its kin-The Cow BIRD and

its nest-Size of its egg-Comparison between the Cuckoo and the Apteryx—

The EPYORNIS-The BLUE-FACED HONEY-EATER or BATIKIN-General habits

of the bird-Singular mode of nesting-The SPARROW-HAWK and its parasitic

habits-The KESTREL, its quarrel with a Magpie-The PURPLE GRAKLE OF

CROW BLACKBIRD-Its curious alliance with the Osprey-Wilson's account of

the two Birds-The SPARROW as a parasite-Curious behaviour of the STORK

-Parasitic Insects-The ICHNEUMON FLIES-The parasite of the CABBAGE

CATERPILLAR-Its numbers and mode of making its habitation-Trap-doors of

the cells-The Australian Cocoon and its parasites-The OAK-EGGER MOTH,

its cocoons and enemies-The PUSS MOTH-Its remarkable cocoon-Powerful

jaws of the parasite-RUBY-TAILED FLIES and their victims-Modes of usurpa-

tion-The CUCKOO FLIES or Tachina-Parasites within pupa-Parasites on

vegetables-The GALL FLIES and their home-British Galls, their shapes,

structures, and authors--Foreign Galls, and their uses

467

CHAPTER XXVI.

PARASITIC NESTS (CONCLUDED).

The Oak-tree, and its aptitude for nourishing Galls-COMPOUND GALLS, or one

Gall within another-The SENSITIVE GALL of Carolina-The Fungus of wine-

vaults-Galls and the Insects which cause them-Colours of Galls-Whence

derived The Galls of various trees and plants-The Cynips parasites upon an

insect-Galls produced by other insects-Mr. Rennie's account of the BEETLE

GALL of the Hawthorn-The BEETLE GALL of the Thistle-DIPTEROUS GALL-

MAKERS-Leaf-Miners and Galls-- Size of the larvæ of Leaf-Miners-The perfect

insects and their beauty-Method of displaying the insect-SOCIAL LEAF-

MINERS-DIPTEROUS LEAF-MINERS-Animal Galls-The CHIGOE and its habits

Its curious egg-sac-Difficulty of extirpating it-The penalty of negligence-

The Breeze FLIES and their habitations-WURBLES and their origin--Their

influence upon cattle-The CLERUS and its ravages among the hives-The

DRILUS, its remarkable form and the difference between the sexes-The curious

habitation which it makes.

500

CHAPTER XXVII.

BRANCH-BUILDING MAMMALIA.

The DORMOUSE in Confinement, and at Liberty-Nest of the Dormouse-Its

position, materials, and Dimensions-Entrance to the nest-The winter trea-

sury-The LOIRE and the LEROT-Man as a Branch-builder-Moselekatze-His

conquests-Effects upon the people-Branch-houses-Their approaches 514

CHAPTER XXVIII.

FEATHERED BRANCH-BUILDERS.

The Rook and its nesting-place-Materials and structure of the nest-Some

habits of the Rook-The CROW-Difference between the nest of the Rook and

the Crow-The HERON and its mode of nidification-The Heronry at Walton

Hall-Rustic ideas respecting the Heron's nest-The CHAFFINCH-Locality and

structure of its beautiful nest-Mode of obtaining materials-The GOLDFINCH

and its home-Distinction between the nests of the Goldfinch and Chaffinch-

The BULLFINCH- Locality and form of its nest-Variability of structure-The

BLUE-EYED YELLOW WARBLER-Curious materials of its nest-Its remarkable

habits-The BALD-HEADED EAGLE-Why so called-Wilson and Audubon's

account of its nest-The GOLDEN ORIOLE and its beautiful nest-Mode of

catching the bird-The RED-WInged Starling, its value and demerits—its

gregarious habits-Locality and structure of its nest-The YELLOW-BREASTED

CHAT and its odd ways-Its courage and affection for its nest and young-

Structure of its nest-the RINGDOVE and its curious nest-The WHITETHROAT

-Description of the locality and structure of the nest-Reasons for its various

popular names-The MOCKING BIRD-The WATER-HEN and its nesting-Its

habit of covering the eggs

520

CHAPTER XXIX.

FEATHERED BRANCH-BUILDERS (CONCLUDED).

The SEDGE-WARBLER-Its nest and loquacity-The REED-WARBLER-Use of its

peculiar tail-Localities haunted by the bird-Song of the Reed-Warbler-Its

deep and beautifully balanced nest-Colour of the eggs-The CAPOCIER-Why

so called-Familiarity of the bird-Le Vaillant's experiments-How the nest

is made-Division of labour-Lovers' quarrels-Structure of the nest-Hum

ming-birds again-The FIERY TOPAZ--Its nocturnal habits-Appearance of the

nest-Its shape and the materials of which it is made-The HERMIT HUM-

MING-BIRDS and their nests-The RUBY-THROATED HUMMING BIRD-Variable

dimensions of the nest-Concealment-Mr. Webber and his discoveries-Vari-

able form and positions of the nest-Materials of which it is made-Its de-

ceptive exterior-Feeding of the young-The VERVAIN HUMMING BIRD-HOW

the nest assumes its shape-The RED-BACKED SHRIKE-Use of the Shrike-

Falconry-Their singular mode of feeding-Impaled prey-Conspicuous cha-

racter of the nest-Popular ideas concerning the Red-backed Shrike-Structure

of the nest-The HEDGE SPARROW-Its proper title-Carelessness about its

nest-Foes of the Hedge Sparrow-Its fecundity.
547

CHAPTER XXX.

BRANCH BUILDERS.

SPIDERS AND INSECTS.

Remarkable Spider Nest in the British Museum-Seed-nests and Leaf-nests-

Nests of the TUFTED SPIDER-Form and colouring of the Spider-Its curious

limbs-Nests illustrative of the hexagonal principle-Nest of the ICARIA-The

equal pressure and excavation theories-Nest of MISCHOCYTTARUS and its re-

markable form-Nest of the RAPHIGASTER-Summary of the Argument-The

PROCESSIONARY MOTH-Reasons for its name-How the larvæ march—Damage

done by them to trees-A natural remedy-The CALOSOMA and its habits-The

GIPSEY MOTH-Its ravages upon trees and mode of destroying it-The social

principle among Caterpillars-Mr. Rennie's experiments-The LACKEY MOTH

Supposed derivation of its popular name-The eggs, larvæ, and perfect insects-

Habits of the Moth-The BROWN-TAILED MOTH-Locality where it is found-

Its ravages abroad-Nests of the ICARIA as they appear in branches-The

APOICA and its remarkable nests-Singular nests from the British Museum-

Nests discovered by Mr. Lord.
566

CHAPTER XXXI.

MISCELLANEA.

The POLYZOA and their varied and beautiful forms-The RAFT SPIDER-Why so-

called-Mode of obtaining prey-Mice and their homes-The CAMPAGNOL or

Harvest Mouse-Its general habits-its winter and summer nest-Its store-

house and provisions-Entrance to the nest-The WOOD MOUSE and its nest-

Uses of the Field Mico-The DOMESTIC MOUSE-Various nests-Rapidity of

nest-building-A nest in a bottle-The cell of the QUEEN TERMITE-Its en-
trances and exits-Size of the inmates-The FUNGUS ANT and its singular
home-Material, structure, and size of the nest-The CLOTHES MOTHS and
their various species-Habitations of the Clothes Moth, and the method of
formation and enlargement-The ELK and its winter home-The snow fortress
and its leaguers-Its use, advantages, and dangers-The ALBATROS and its
mode of nesting-Strange scenes-The EDIBLE SWALLOW-Its mode of nesting
-Origin of its name-Description of the nest-Curious legend respecting the
bird-The EAGLE and its mode of nesting-Difficulty of reaching the eyrie-
The NIGHTINGALE and its nest-Other ground-building birds and their tem-
porary homes-The NODDY-Perilous position of the eggs, and young—The
COOT, and its semi-aquatic nest

594