QUELNS. 151 
LOSS OF QUEENS. 
A critical time for our queens is when they leave the 
hive or nucleus to meet the drones. They are liable to 
be caught by birds, and at times, fail to enter their own 
hives on their return. This is an excellent reason for not 
setting hives too closely together, and also, for using a 
variety of colors in roofs or hives, to assist them in iden- 
tifying their own homes. An examination should be 
made at the proper time to ascertain if the queen has 
safely returned. 
INDICATIONS OF LOSS. 
The next morning after a loss of this kind has occurred, 
and occasionally at evening, the bees may be seen running 
to and fro in the greatest consternation on the outside. 
Some will fly off a short distance, and return; one will 
run to another, and then to another, still in hopes, no 
doubt, of finding their lost queen. A hive, close by, will 
probably receive a portion, and will seldom resist an ac- 
cession under such circumstances. Al] this will be going 
on while other hives are quiet. Towards the middle of 
the day, the confusion will be less marked ; but the next 
morning it will be exhibited again, though not so plainly, 
and will cease after the third, when they become appar- 
ently reconciled to their fate. They will continue their 
labors as usual, bringing in pollen and honey. Here I 
am obliged to differ with writers, who tell us that all 
Jabor will now cease. I hope the reader will not be de- 
ceived: by supposing that the collection of pollen is an 
infallible indication of the presence of a queen. Ican 
assure him if is not always the case. 
When such conditions are noticed, it is well to exam- 
ine the hive to see if a queen can be found. Or, if the 
bee-keeper is mexperienced in finding queens, he may 
mark the date, and after a day or two has passed, look for 
