261 



CHAPTER XIII. 



BOBBING, AXD HOW PREVENTED. 



are so prone to rob each other, that, unless 

 great precautions are used, the Apiarian will often lose 

 some of his most promising stocks. 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, if 

 urged by the dread of famine, they begin to assail the 

 weaker stocks. In this matter, however, the morals of 

 our little friends seem to be sadly at fault ; for, often those 

 stocks 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 ever 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 ne- 

 glects to feed his needy colonies, and to assist such as 

 are weak or queenless (p. 221), must count upon suffer- 

 ing heavy losses from robber-bees. 



It is sometimes difficult for the novice to discriminate 

 between the honest inhabitants of a hive, and the robbers 

 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 



