Hillside. 133 



little way, and then returns ; each time her circle of flight 

 increases, until at length she gets some distance from the 

 hive, and is detected by a drone. Her wedding tour is soon 

 finished, and in a few hours she returns to the hive ready 

 to take on the serious responsibilities of her large family. 



In the spring, when the hive is full of comb and honey, 

 and when the further rearing of young is almost impossible 

 in the old hive, or when fresh " queen-cells " have been made, 

 the queen gathers part of her family about her, and with 

 great bustle prepares to quit the hive. This she usually 

 does just before or after mid-day. Then the bee-keeper has 

 to be alert and catch the old queen, whom he puts into 

 another hive. The workers follow, and soon a new colony is 

 established. If the bee-keeper be not on the look-out for the 

 queen the swarm may escape him, and will then take up its 

 abode in a hollow tree or some similar position. With regard 

 to the value of a swarm there is an old adage which runs 



" A swarm of bees in May is worth a load of hay, 

 A swarm of bees in June is worth a silver spoon, 

 A swarm of bees in July is not worth a fly." 



Do bees keep to one particular colour in the flowers they 

 visit in each journey ? Yes, within certain limits they do, 

 but this is to a great extent because a certain flower will be 

 abundant in the particular area they visit ; but you can 

 readily understand how important it is that this should be 

 so when you consider the great share they take in the cross- 

 fertilisation of flowers. 



We have spent a long time watching the bees ; now let us 

 continue our walk, or we shall not get very far to-day, after 

 all. Oat of the gate we pass, and continuing our walk across 

 the fields, soon reach a shady path running through a copse, 



