MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. 167 



tion was directed towards an intruder, in tlie person of an audacious wasp, 

 whicli no sooner had entered the forbidden precincts, than he commenced 

 helping himself pretty freely to the good things, of which he found an ample 

 store. His entrance was observed by many of the inmates, and it was 

 evident an universal impression prevailed, that something unpleasant was 

 tlxe matter. This state of feeling was indicated by a louder buzz, Avhich ap- 

 peared also to assume a more angry tone. The thief, however, was allowed 

 to indulge himself much longer than we had anticipated. At last the time 

 came when it was, in a very unmistakable manner, intimated to him that he 

 had no business there, and that he could no longer be suffered to pilfer with 

 impunity. This was done by one of the bees, whicli made a vigorous on- 

 slaught at the head of the wasp, and I need hardly say the attack was replied 

 to in equally as warm a manner, for 



"They tug, they strain; down, down they go," 



and a fearful struggle ensued at the bottom of the hive. The combatants 

 appeared to be very equally matched, so much so, that victoiy, for a time, 

 seemed doubtful. At last the poor bee gave a convulsive shudder, and in- 

 stantly the wasp disengaged himself and flew away, feeling, no doubt, pretty 

 sure that he had given a fatal wound. With the exception of one solitary 

 individual, the bees seemed to take no interest as to the result of the 

 stixiggle. This one kept wheeling round the duellists, keeping, however, at 

 a respectful distance ; and whenever the circumstances of the fight threw 

 the belligerents too near, he, like the " Braves Belgae" on a certain 18th of 

 June, decreased the danger by increasing the distance from it No sooner 

 was the battle over, than the bee that had witnessed it came to the poor 

 wounded wretch that lay quivering on the well-contested field, to console 

 him in his sufferings, we hoped, or to take him to some hospital cell, and 

 there to administer to him some well merited comforts. But no, we were 

 very much mistaken, there was no " Scutari " for this gallant patriot, that 

 had so nobly fought for his queen and community. The bee most ruthlessly 

 pushed the sufferer to the verge of the platform, then flew with him a few 

 yards, and let him drop. We felt quite interested in the poor bee, and dis- 

 appointed at the cruel treatment he had received. I picked him vip, but he 

 was so far gone, that he died in my hand in a few seconds afterwards. — J. P., 

 February 7th, 1855. 



Occurrence of an Owl, new to Britain, near Leeds. — We have just received 

 from our valued friend, E. Hobson, Esq., M.D., of Leeds, notice of the occur- 

 rence, near Leeds, of a female specimen of the American Mottled Owl, 

 Audubon. We hope to give the full particulars in our next. — B. R. M., June 

 18th, 1855. 



