108 



ENEMIES. 



KING BIRD. 



The king bird frequently catches bees, and I am 

 always tempted to shoot at them when I see them 

 depredating. 



Mr. Qumby thinks they only catch drones. I will 

 " guess" that they prefer a dainty drop of honey to 

 the gross carcass of the drone. 



PEWITT. 



The pewitt, and a few other varieties of birds, 

 occasionally catch bees ; but as they render valuable 

 services to man, in destroying other insects, I think 

 they should be protected. 



BEE MOTH. (GALLERIA CEREANA.) 



The bee moth has been known and described by 

 various ancient authors, amongst whom are " Aris- 

 totle, Virgil and Columella." It seems to have been 

 as destructive to the bees then as now. 



This insect is a distinct variety of the moth tribe, 

 and is so dependent on honey bees for its subsist- 

 ence, that no instance is known of its being found 

 apart from them. Hence there is but little doubt 

 that it has, at some period, been brought to this 

 continent with the bees. 



We have no definite account of their depredations 

 amongst the older settlements, but may it not have 

 been that they were so well known as to excite no 

 remark ? 



