314 ROBBERY. 



neighbors, unless excited by a careless exposure of 

 honey, or defenceless hives having honey. 



EXCITING CAUSE. 



The exposure of honey, the presence of worms 

 creating a scent, a neglect of the bee-keeper to notice 

 and remove queenless or deserted hives, or feeble 

 swarms, are among the causes tending to excite rob- 

 bers. If by these means they once get a taste, the 

 propensity is aroused so as to endanger the lives even 

 of good colonies. The question would here naturally 

 arise Will not feeding produce this result ? The 

 answer is, that it will, unless judiciously managed. 



HOW TO' DETECT. 



Robbers may easily be known, when making their 

 first attacks, by their hovering around the hive, either 

 seeking to alight at the entrance, or trying to force 

 their way through any crevice that may be found in 

 the hive. Their motions are quick and irregular ; 

 first remaining poised on the wing, seemingly ready 

 to alight, and then suddenly darting away, to again 

 return in the same manner. If the swarm that is 

 being attacked is on the alert, they try to catch and 

 slay the intruders ; when they do this, there need be 

 but little fear for their safety. 



When a colony is once conquered and their stores 

 are being carried away, it is difficult to distinguish 



