Bramble-bees and Others 



September is spent by the Halictus solely 

 in nuptial celebrations. Whenever the sky is 

 fine, I witness the evolutions of the males 

 above the burrows, with their continual en- 

 trances and exits; should the sun be veiled, 

 they take refuge down the passages. The 

 more impatient, half-hidden in the pit, show 

 their Httle black heads outside, as though 

 peeping for the least break in the clouds that 

 will allow them to pay a brief visit to the 

 flowers round about. They also spend the 

 night in the burrows. In the morning, I at- 

 tend their levee; I see them put their head to 

 the window, take a look at the weather and 

 then go in again until the sun beats on the 

 encampment. 



The same mode of life is continued 

 throughout October, but the males become less 

 numerous from day to day as the stormy 

 season approaches and as fewer females re- 

 main to be wooed. By the time that the first 

 cold weather comes, in November, complete 

 solitude reigns over the burrows. I once more 

 have recourse to the spade. I find none 

 but females in their cells. There is not one 

 male left. All have vanished, all are dead, 

 the victims of their life of pleasure and of the 



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