CHAPTER IV 



THE MOTHER DECIDES THE SEX OF THE EGG 



I WILL begin with the Mason-bee of the 

 Pebbles. The old nests are often used, 

 when they are in good enough repair. Early 

 in the season, the mothers quarrel fiercely over 

 them; and, when one of the Bees has taken 

 possession of the coveted dome, she drives 

 any stranger away from it. The old house is 

 far from being a ruin, only it is perforated 

 with as many holes as it once had occupants. 

 The work of restoration is no great matter. 

 The earthy heap, due to the destruction of 

 the lid by the outgoing tenant, is taken out 

 of the cell and flung away at a distance, atom 

 by atom. The remnants of the cocoon are 

 also thrown away, but not always, for the 

 delicate silken wrapper sometimes adheres 

 closely to the masonry. 



The victualling of the renovated cell is now 

 begun. Next comes the laying; and lastly 

 the orifice is sealed with a mortar plug. A 

 second cell is utilized in the same way, fol- 



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