THE BEE KILLER. 85 



alone, once heard, is sufficient for recognition of the 

 insect. It is one of the largest and fiercest of our Dip- 

 tera. It is an inch or more 

 in length. It feeds princi- 

 pally on honeybees, pouncing 

 upon them with great swift- 

 ness while on the wing. It 

 frequents dry pastures where 

 bees are feeding. It is often- 

 est seen when startled from 

 its resting place upon a stick 

 or stone beside our path. It 



.. .. BEE KILLER, Asilus (natural size). 



may be captured by dexterous 



use of the net. It should be introduced into the cyanide 

 bottle without handling, for its beak is powerful enough 

 to wound the fingers. 



Study of Live Specimens. Having flushed a bee killer 

 from its resting place, it may be followed at a proper 

 distance, and something may be seen of its predaceous 

 habits. Take time, while in the field collecting, to ob- 

 serve : 



1. The character of its flight as to speed, directness, etc. 



2. The length of time spent on the wing at one flight. 



3. The course of its flight. After one of its swift sal- 

 lies, does it usually return to the same resting place from 

 which it started out, or to a new one ? 



4. The purpose of its flight. Does it seem to be intent 

 on catching a bee at every flight, or does it sometimes 

 seem to fly for sport? 



5. Its feeding habits. Try to see one catch a bee and 

 carry it away to be eaten. Wait quietly by until the 

 bee killer has finished its repast ; then go and look for 

 the remains of the bee. What part is left? Search the 

 spots from which other bee killers are flushed, for the re- 



