DISEASES AND ENEMIES OF 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 SPIDERS, 
Ants are undoubtedly an annoyance to the bees as well 
as to their keeper. Their fondness for sweets is such 
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. 
