CHAPTER XIV. 



KOBBIXCi, AND How PREVENTED. 



^^An ounce of prevention is worth a ton of care." 



664. Bees are su prone to rob each other, in time of 

 scarcity, that, unless great precautions are used, the Apiarist 

 will often lose some of his most promising colonies. Idleness 

 is, with them, as with men, a fruitful mother of mischief. 

 They are, however, far more excusable than the lazy rogues 

 of the human family; for they seldom attempt to live on 

 stolen sweets, when they can procure a sufficiency by honest 

 industry. 



As soon as they can leave their hives in the Spring, they 

 may begin to assail the Aveaker colonies. In this matter, the 

 morals of our little friends seem to be sadly at fault; for, 

 those colonies which have the largest surplus are— like some 

 rich oppressors— the most anxious to prey upon the meagre 

 possessions of others. 



If the marauders, who are prowling about in search of 

 plunder, attack a strong and healthy colony, they are usually 

 glad to escape with their lives from its resolute defenders. 

 The bee-keeper, therefore, who neglects to watch his needy 

 colonies, and to assist such as are weak or queenless, must 

 count upon suffering- heavj" losses from robber-bees. 



665. It is sometimes difficult, for the novice, to discrim- 

 inate between the honest inhabitants of a hive, and the rob- 

 bers which often mingle with them. There is, however, an 

 air of roguery about a thieving bee which, to the expert, is 

 as characteristic as are the motions of a pickpocket to a skill- 

 ful policeman. Its sneaking look, and nervous, guilty agita- 

 tion, once seen, can never be mistaken. It docs not, like the 



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