Experiments 



face, with only a couple of inches separating 

 them, and here, doubtless measuring forces 

 with their eyes, they buzz insults at each 

 other. Then they go back and alight on the 

 nest in dispute, first one, then the other. I ex- 

 pect to see them come to blows, to make them 

 draw their stings. But my hopes are disap- 

 pointed: the duties of maternity speak in too 

 imperious a voice for them to risk their lives 

 and wipe out the insult in a mortal duel. The 

 whole thing is confined to hostile demonstra- 

 tions and a few insignificant cuffs. 



Nevertheless, the real proprietress seems 

 to derive double courage and double strength 

 from the feeling that she is in her rights. She 

 takes up a permanent position on the nest and 

 receives the other, each time that she ventures 

 to approach, with an angry quiver of her 

 wings, an unmistakable sign of her righteous 

 indignation. The stranger, at last discour- 

 aged, retires from the field. Forthwith the 

 mason resumes her work, as actively as 

 though she had not just undergone the hard- 

 ships of a long journey. 



One more word on these quarrels about 

 property. It is not unusual, when one Mason- 

 bee is away on an expedition, for another, 

 45 



