Bombus, the Bumble- Bee. 173 



bees in a net and let them loose on the 

 window. They will not sting you unless 

 you touch them. Even if they get on 

 you, if you keep perfectly still they will 

 leave without hurting you. 



You can give your pet bombus a drop 

 of honey, or a little sugar and water, and 

 see its long brown tongue lick it up. 



If you want to see it perform its toilet, 

 you can breathe upon it gently. 



This makes it very angry, and it will 

 buzz with its wings for a moment, then go 

 to work and clean itself all over. 



Bumble-bees have a funny way of stick- 

 ing out their legs at you, as if they meant to 

 strike you. When you 

 come near one, out fly 

 its legs in quite a threat-AJ 

 ening manner. 



Honey-bees do this too, but not so much 

 as bumble-bees. 



The very best place to watch bees is 

 in the fields. 



