1913] Nichols — Observations on the Nesting Habits of the Mining Bee 111 



they were not disturbed by human presence. The observer re- 

 mained, however, about two feet away from the nest openings. 



More than once, also, Grossbeck noticed bees showing animosity 

 toward each other. On one occasion when a pollen-laden bee 

 returned to find its burrow already occupied by another, also pol- 

 len-bearing, there followed a really dramatic episode. Both came 

 out hurriedly, buzzed around, clenched, rolled on the ground, 

 separated and were then lost to sight. Presently one returned, 

 presumably the rightful owner, and rapidly removed three loads 

 of pollen, two of which were dropped not far from the entrance 

 and the third was carried farther away. The colony of E. fusco- 

 jubatus, on the contrary, so far as we could tell lived together, 

 mutually harmonious, yet independent. It is well known that 

 some strains of Apis mellifica show much greater excitability and 

 pugnacity than others and it is quite possible that, of these two 

 closely related species, one is more readily moved to fear or wrath 

 than the other. 



Exactly at what hour E. bombiformis was seen carrying pollen 

 is not stated, but it is to be supposed from the following that it was 

 in the afternoon. Referring to the greater ease with which pollen- 

 laden bees find the entrance, Grossbeck remarks "There was no 

 uncertainty displayed as in the morning hours." This is strikingly 

 different from the habit of E. fuscojubatus, which was to collect 

 pollen only in the early morning. 



It seems likely that the reason why pollen-laden bees fly so di- 

 rectly to their burrows is that, in the course of frequent trips to 

 and fro during the making of the nest, they have gained a more 

 thorough familiarity with the surroundings. As far as I remember, 

 this directness of flight was not confined to bees bearing pollen. 



On Aug. 22, Grossbeck saw bees on a roadside puddle, but was 

 not sure whether they actually lapped up the water or not. A 

 rather strong wind was blowing at the time, by which the insects 

 were constantly swept across the puddle. "They seemed to fly 

 back to the windward side when blown across, for mere sport." 

 I think there can be no doubt that the bees actually do take up the 

 water, because of the regularity of their visits to the pond or puddle, 

 the time that they spend there and the quantity of fluid coming 

 from the mouth, used to moisten the earth and form pellets. 1 



1 F. Knab reports seeing E. bombiformis at the edge of a marsh on the outskirts of Wash- 

 ington, alighting on the surface of the water. They remained usually about 10 sec, the 

 proboscis in contact with the water. — Proc. Wash. Ent. Soe., 1911, p. 170. 



