XXII AN EXCHANGE OF NESTS 313 



cell and quantity of honey are beginning to assume 

 proportions too great. 



The reverse of this is not less conclusive. To a 

 mason bee which was laying up food I would give a 

 cell only just sketched out and unable to receive the 

 honey paste. This cell, still damp from the con- 

 structor's saliva, might or might not be accompanied 

 by other cells, recently closed and containing an egg 

 and honey. The bee, whose half-filled cell is thus 

 replaced, seems greatly puzzled on arriving with her 

 load at this shallow hollow offering no place for the 

 honey. She will examine it, measure it with her eye, 

 try it with her antennae, and recognise its insufficient 

 depth. For a time she hesitates, departs, returns, 

 flies off again, and comes back in haste to dispose of 

 her load. Her embarrassment is visible ; I could 

 not help saying inwardly : " Take some mortar — take 

 some mortar, and finish your storehouse. It will only 

 require a few moments to make it deep enough." 

 The bee was of a different opinion. She was laying 

 in food, and food she must lay up, happen what 

 might. She could not decide to lay aside the pollen 

 brush for the mason's trowel, and nothing could 

 induce her to delay the harvest which occupied her 

 in order to take up that work of building for which 

 it is not the due moment. Rather would she seek 

 another cell, in the desired condition, and will 

 penetrate there to store the honey, even if received 

 with fury by the owner. In fact, this happened. I 

 wished her success, knowing myself to be the cause 

 of this desperate act. My curiosity had turned an 

 honest worker into a thief. 



Matters may take a yet more serious turn, so 



