Bramble-bees and Others 



each the property of one mother. Even so, 

 in the blocks of flats In our large towns, one 

 door, one hall and one staircase lead to dif- 

 ferent floors or different portions of a floor 

 where each family retains its isolation and its 

 independence. 



This common right of passage is extremely 

 easy to perceive at the time for victualling 

 the nests. Let us direct our attention for a 

 while to the same entrance-aperture, opening 

 at the top of a little mound of earth freshly 

 thrown up, like that heaped up by the Ants 

 during their works. Sooner or later we shall 

 see the HalictI arrive with their load of pol- 

 len, gathered on the CIchoriaceas of the neigh- 

 bourhood. 



Usually, they come up one by one ; but It Is 

 not rare to see three, four or even more ap- 

 pearing at the same time at the mouth of one 

 burrow. They perch on the top of the mound 

 and, without hurrying In front of one another, 

 with no sign of jealousy, they dive down the 

 passage, each in her turn. We need but watch 

 their peaceful waiting, their tranquil dives, to 

 recognize that this indeed is a common pass- 

 age to which each one has as much right as 

 another. 



426 



