308 DEATH'S-HEAD MOTH. 



scale proportioned to his bulk, he will frequently brave, singly, 

 and unarmed as he is, the numerous poisoned arrows of a bee- 

 hive garrison, with a view to pilfering and regaling on its 

 stores. In this bold undertaking he seldom fails, owing im- 

 punity, as it would appear, almost entirely to the paralyzing 

 power of his formidable voice. His approach to a hive by 

 twilight, or the glow of a harvest moon, is a signal for general 

 alarm and commotion, and each individual bee, at sight of this 

 dreaded visitant, or sound of his boding cry, shakes its wings 

 in fearful tremor, or responds to the wailing trumpet of the 

 invader by a peculiar buzz, expressive of alarm. Even the bee 

 sentinels, keeping their moonlight watch around the gate of 

 their waxen city, shrink appalled as before an apparition, when 

 the dark wings of the Death's-head overshadow their beat ; 

 and the robber, entering, proceeds to regale unmolested by the 

 trembling bees, whose wonted courage and sagacity seem on 

 this occasion to give place to human ignorance and folly. As 

 soon, however, as the departure of the satiated marauder re- 

 lieves the panic-stricken citizens of their terror, they commence 

 taking the most active measures to guard, in future, against 

 being thus robbed before their faces ; and the chances are, 

 that should the death's-head visitant return again on the en- 

 suing night, he will find all entrance barred by a strong waxen 

 wall, b.uilt within the doorway of the hive, and leaving only 

 just sufficient space for the exit or entrance of ^ single bee. 

 The hawk-moths (so called) of the Lime, the Poplar also 



