p from the flowers and whirred idly about, the tarantula squatted
itself closely, hiding behind the leaves or shanks of the vines. On the
other hand, when the bird settled a moment and appeared busily feeding,
the skulking creature would advance a stage nearer, either by a quick
run or a leap, when it would again conceal itself and await a fresh
opportunity. As the bird flitted about a good deal, the spider had
frequently to change its direction in following. The former after one
of its short flights, settled into a pet-flower directly in front of
where the latter lay crouching. It did not enter the cup of the flower,
but remained at the mouth--poised upon its whirring wings--while with
its long prehensile tongue it drew out the honey. It had scarcely been
a moment in this position, when the tarantula sprang forward and
clutched it round the body with his antennae. The bird, with a wild
chirrup, like that of a distressed cricket, flew outward and upwards.
Its wings were still free, and all expected it would carry off the
spider that was now seen clinging around it. Not so, however. On
getting a few feet from the flower its flight appeared to be suddenly
checked; and, although it still kept in the air, flying first one way
and then another, it was evident that something restrained it from
getting clear off. On looking more attentively a fine silk-like line
was seen stretching from the trees to the fluttering creature. It was
the thread of the spider, and this it was that prevented his victim from
carrying him into the air.

The little wings soon ceased to move, and both bird and spider fell to
the end of the thread, where they hung for a moment suspended. The boys
could see that the bird was dead, and the mandibles of the tarantula
were buried in its shining threat!

Francois would have rushed forward to kill the destroyer; but Lucien,
who was too ardent a naturalist to have his lesson thus interrupted,
restrained his more impetuous brother, and all three remained quiet as
before.

The tarantula now commenced reeling in his line, for the purpose of
carrying his prey up among the branches, where he had his nest. The
boys looked upward to discover the latter. There, sure enough, was the
web, in a shaded corner, stretching its meshes from a large liana to the
trunk of the tupelo; and towards this point the spider now slowly
progressed with his lifeless victim.

As they watched his motions, their eyes were c