greatly in coloration, which denotes distinct species. The Silky Ammophila
(A. holosericea, VAN DER LIND. (Cf. idem: chapter 14.--Translator's Note.))
has a better assorted diet. She requires for each banqueter three or four
items, which include the Measuring-worms, or Loopers, and the caterpillars
of ordinary Moths, all of which are equally appreciated. The Brown-winged
Solenius (S. fascipennis, LEP.), who elects to dwell in the soft dead wood
of old willow-trees, has a marked preference for Virgil's Bee, Eristalis
tenax (Actually the Common Drone-fly and somewhat resembling a Bee in
appearance. Cf. "The Hunting Wasps": chapter 14.--Translator's Note.),
willingly adding, sometimes as a side-dish, sometimes as the principal
game, Helophilus pendulus, whose costume is very different. On the faith of
indistinguishable remains, we must no doubt enter a number of other Flies
in her game-book. The Golden-mouthed Hornet (Crabro chrysostomus, LEP.)
another burrower in old willow-trees, prefers the Syrphi, without
distinction of species. (The Syrphi, like the Eristales, resemble Bees
through having the abdomen transversely banded with yellow.--Translator's
Note.) The Wandering Solenius (S. vagus, LEP. (For this Fly-hunting insect
cf. "Bramble-bees and Others": chapters 1 and 3.--Translator's Note.)), an
inmate of the dry bramble-stems and of the dwarf-elder, lays under
contribution for her larder the genera Syritta, Sphaerophoria, Sarcophaga,
Syrphus, Melanophora, Paragus and apparently many others. The species which
recurs most frequently in my notes is Syritta pipiens.

Without pursuing this tedious list any farther, we plainly perceive the
general result. Each huntress has her characteristic tastes, so much so
that, when we know the bill of fare, we can tell the genus and very often
the species of the guest, thus proving the proud truth of the maxim, "Tell
me what you eat and I will tell you what you are."

There are some which always need the same prey. The offspring of the