282 THE BEE NATION. 



Quite different to the eye and the heart of the friend of 

 the bees is the natural or uncompelled swarming, although 

 it depends more on chance and favorable or unfavorable 

 circumstances. " There is fresh glad nature ; a union of 

 fortunate surroundings are necessary, good food, a sunny 

 day, warm balmy air, if all are to succeed ; there is the 



charm of fear and hope The first drones have 



ventured out into the midday sun and whisper glad hope 

 into the ear of the bee-master. There is a loud hum in the 



hive In sultry nights some of the bees make their 



beds outside and scatter in the morning to go to their work. 

 But on a fine warm morning not one flies away, as though 

 something special were on foot. Some come out, surround 

 their friends, bring them news from within and explain by 

 fluttering movements the approaching flight. As soon as 

 the bee-master approaches the garden he hears the swarm- 

 ing-music, more welcome than the best concert. The 

 swarming bees fly zigzag, ever fresh crowds streaming out 

 of the hive, one after another. Many in their haste fall to 

 the ground, but pick themselves up again and join in the 

 merry dance. There is silence at the mouth of the hive, 

 but there is life in the air ; clear rays of sunshine break 

 through the little living cloud. Hither and thither sways 

 the swarm ; no place of rest has yet been chosen and the 

 eye of the bee-master follows them ceaselessly. Now 

 comes a sharp gust of wind, and blows down the swarming 

 bees. Back on the old hive fall queen and people : the 

 little heap already gathering on a branch falls off again. 

 The hive is black all is over. The fair hope has vanished ; 

 the beautiful swarming day has passed away in vain ; a 

 few pounds of honey have taken flight : sadly the owner 



wanders round his hives Listen ! a sound strikes his 



ear. Tilt ! tut ! there it is again, and Quak ! quak ! in har- 



* The Tiiten and Quaken are caused by the just emerged or nearly 

 emerging young queens, and serve as a sign of approaching swarming 

 to the bee-master. As soon as a young queen is ready to emerge, she 

 announces the fact by this sound of " Quak! " If no emerged queen 

 answers with her " Tilt " she slips safely and quietly out, but wisely 

 remains in her cell if she hears the jealous answering cry, and for so 

 long as this is heard within the hive. This cry, arising from fear and 

 jealousy, can be heard in each hive which has several young queens at 



