THE _minmin-zemi_ begins to sing in the Period of Greatest Heat. It is
called "_min-min_" because its note is thought to resemble the syllable
"_min_" repeated over and over again,--slowly at first, and very loudly;
then more and more quickly and softly, till the utterance dies away in a
sort of buzz: "_min--min--min-min-min-minminmin-dzzzzzzz_." The sound is
plaintive, and not unpleasing. It is often compared to the sound of the
voice of a priest chanting the _sutras_.
[Illustration: PLATE V.
1, _"Tsuku-tsuku-Boshi_," also called "_Kutsu-kutsu-Boshi_," etc.
(_Cosmopsaltria Opalifera?_)
2, _Tsurigane-Zemi_.