1902 



ever intentionally swallows an insect 

 having a sting. Drones are not often 

 found in the stomach of the kingbird, 

 for the reason that he prefers workers; 

 and also for the reason that, while the 

 casting is forming, he is not generally 

 near the apiary, and therefore not so 

 likely to be killed at a time when drone? 

 might be found in the stomach." 



The above theory is emphasized by 

 an observation of Nuttall. that indiges- 

 tible portions of beetles are cast aside 

 by the kingbird in the manner described 

 by Mr. Wright in Gleanings. 



But granting that it eats or destroys 

 all the bees imputed to it. is the iniury, 

 save when by chance a queen falls a vic- 

 tim, sufficient to balance the good 

 done? Scientists have found in the con- 

 tents of the stomachs examined a posi- 

 tive evidence not so easily refuted as 

 that negatively implied regarding the 

 honey bee. There were, often in large 

 numbers, canker worms, clover leaf 

 weevil, gadfly, rose chafer, ant. grass- 

 hopper, asparagus beetle, potato beetle, 

 click beetle, cutworm and robber {\y. 

 Thus, if it eats bees it also feeds upon 

 their enemies. 



Besides, it is a sworn enemy to the 

 crow and hawk, fearlesslj' attacking 

 either whenever they come in contact: 

 and though decidedly inferior in size, 

 it invariably puts the larger birds to 

 flight. Thus it is not only a protection 

 to poultry, but to other insectivorous 

 birds, even though its conduct to the 

 latter is not at other times either po- 

 lite or just. 



In short, is it not well to consider 

 the other side of the question before 

 resorting to the shot gun? Save in ag- 

 gravated cases, the view of Prof. Cook 

 seems wisest: 



"In view of the good that these birds 

 do, unless they are far more numerous 

 and troublesome than I have ever ob- 

 served them, I should certainly be slow 

 to recommend the death warrant." 



Harmonsburg. Pa. 



THE AMERICAN BEE-KEEPER 5 



Not "Anybody, Anywhere." 



(By Arthur C. Miller.) 

 HERE was recently issued by the 



T 



Secretary of the Board of Agri- 

 culture of one of the states, a 

 most remarkable and misleading pam- 

 phlet on bee-keeping, setting forth the 

 great profit to be derived from the in- 

 dustry the ease with which it might be 

 accomplished anywhere, and adding 

 that anybody could keep bees. It is to 

 these last two statements that I wish to 

 call the attention both of those who 

 have just started in bee-keeping and of 

 those who contemplate doing so. 



"Anbody" is not fitted to keep bees, 

 nor is "anywhere"' always suitable for 

 the purpose. It is hot easy to say who 

 should and who should not keep bees, 

 for so many factors enter into the 

 problem. In a general way those per- 

 sons who will attend to the proper de- 

 tails at the proper time, and who will 

 take uncomplainingly a bee sting, or a 

 lot in an emergency, may enter this in- 

 dustry. The careless, the shiftless, the 

 procrastinators. had better let it entire- 

 ly alone, both for their own good and 

 that of their neighbors. In this as in 

 most other occupations, the careful, 

 painstaking persons are generally the 

 successful ones. 



In most parts of our country except- 

 ing some of the very arid regions, it 

 will be found that one or more colo- 

 nies can exist, and will generally give 

 some surplus honey to the owner, but 

 that this industry will be profitable is 

 an entirely different proposition. Be- 

 cause the hive that has stood in the 

 fence corner for so many years has 

 never been without bees, and because 

 it has given a little honey now and 

 then, is no proof that any substantial 

 profit could be secured from it if prop- 

 erly cared for, or that more than the 

 one colony could live and thrive in that 

 locality. However, where one colony 

 does well, others as a rule, will do so 



