350 



THE INSECT WORLD. 



gress. He was only able, with his gun, to drive away the 

 useful birds, whilst the bee-eaters showed themselves indifferent 

 to the smell of gunpowder: they seemed to be invulnerable. 

 One day, as the proprietor, quite puzzled as to what he should 

 do, was trying to find out some means of getting rid of these 



Fig. 323. Sentinel Bees guarding the entrance to the hive. 



enemies, he all of a sudden heard a great buzzing. A few bees 

 which had luckily escaped from the voracious beaks of their feathered 

 aggressors, had lost no time in spreading the alarm in the hive, 

 and in demanding that vengeance should be taken. A regular 

 army of threatening bees directed their course, in perfect order, 

 against two of these birds which had been pointed out for attack. 

 The birds had the best of it, and gorged themselves on the 

 phalanx ; and again took up their position, whilst the bees. 



