DISEASES AKD ENEMIES OP BEES. 231 



gentleman noticed a King-bird catching several bees near 

 the same spot, and upon close scrutiny saw small par- 

 ticles drop to the ground as the bird captured the bee. 

 Upon a careful search, he found both extremities of the 

 bees upon the ground, and came to the conclusion that 

 the bird caught the bee in such a manner as to secure the 

 honey-sac, and drop the remainder. While my own ex- 

 perience has not verified this, it does not disprove 

 it. Wrens are of great value in an apiary in picking up 

 every worm that may chance to be exposed. Every in- 

 ducement should be presented to attract them to the vi- 

 cinity of the hives. Suitable houses in which they may 

 build their nests should be put up in appropriate places. 

 Cat-birds are also worthy of passing notice. They may 

 be seen at nearly all hours of the day, passing from hive 

 to hive, picking up worms and immature bees as they are 

 thrown out. 



ANTS, TOADS, AND SPIDEKS. 



Ants are undoubtedly an annoyance to the bees as well 

 as to their keeper. Their fondness for sweets is sucli 

 that the bees must guard their stores well, to protect 

 them from these tiny marauders. They may usually be 

 driven from the hives where they congregate, by brushing 

 and smoking. Alcohol, applied to the parts they fre- 

 quent, will speedily destroy them. That toads feed upon 

 bees may easily be ascertained by any watchful bee- 

 keeper ; yet, as they are seldom, if ever, found catching 

 them at hours when the life of a queen would be en- 

 dangered, they are less obnoxious than King-birds. The 

 only harm that can ever be done by spiders is that the 

 bees will sometimes become entangled in their webs when 

 spun about the hive. With little care both the spiders 

 and their webs may be destroyed. 



