A WINTER SLEEPER 305 



first work will then be to dig themselves out. If 

 they emerge on a dull day, they will probably 

 retreat again and wait for a more encouraging 

 occasion. Provided all is well and the sun shining, 

 they will warm themselves in its rays, and will 

 soon become strong enough to fly. Then their 

 thoughts will turn to honey, and they will visit 

 the spring flowers and feast on nectar. When the 

 lady has quite recuperated she will proceed to 

 search for a suitable site for a nest, and the 

 selection of one will depend on the species to 

 which she belongs. Some of the humble-bees 

 make their nests very near the surface, just under 

 the moss. Others, like the one referred to, want 

 a burrow, which may be anything from two to three 

 feet in length. The deserted burrows of mice 

 serve them well. When they have found it they 

 enlarge a chamber at the end of it, and proceed 

 to construct cells for their first brood. There is- 

 nothing of regal state in the condition of the queen 

 at ~this stage, for she must work very hard to 

 feed both her young family and herself. But soon 

 the first brood come to maturity, and then her 

 work is done. Henceforth the family do all the 

 labour, and the mother is in reality a queen. 



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