Talbr and Mason Bees. 29 



crowded as we press circular wads into our shot-guns, and are 

 used at the ends or I'or partitions wliero several cells arc 

 placed together. AYlien complete, tlie single cells are in form 

 and size much like a revoh'cr cartridge. When several are 

 placed together, which is usually the case, they are arranged 

 end to end, and in size and form are quite like a small stick of 

 candy, though not more than one-third as long. These cells I 

 have found in the grass, partially buried in the eartli, in 

 crevices, and in one case knew of their being built in the folds 

 of a partially-kuit sock, which a good house-wife had chanced 

 to leave stationary for some days. These leaf-cutters have 

 rows of yellow hairs underneath their bodies which aid them 

 in carrying pollen. I have noticed them each summer for 

 some years swarming on the Virginia creeper, often called 

 woodbine, while in blossom, in quest of pollen, though I never 

 saw a single hive-bee on these vines. The tailor-bees often cut 

 the foliage of the same vines quite badly. 



I have often reared beautiful bees of the genus Osmia, which 

 are also called mason-bees. Their glistening colors of blue and 

 green possess a luster and reflection unsurpassed even by the 

 metals themselves. These rear their young in cells of mud, 

 in mud-cells lining hollow weeds and shrubs, and in burrows 

 which they dig in the hard earth. In early summer, during 

 warm days, these glistening gems of life are frequently seen in 

 walks and drives intent on gathering earth for mortar, or 

 digging holes, and Avill hardly escape identification by the ob- 

 serving apiarist, as their form is so much like that of our honey- 

 bees. They are smaller ; yet their broad head, prominent ej'es, 

 and general form, are very like those of the equallj^ quick and 

 active, yet more soberly attired, workers of the apiary. 



Other bees — the numerous species of the genus Nomada, 

 and of Apathus, are the black sheep in the family Apidas. 

 These tramps, already referred to, like the English cuckoo and 

 our American cow-blackbird, steal in upon the unwary, and, 

 though all unbidden, lay their eggs ; in this way appropriating 

 food and lodgings for their own yet unborn. Thus these insect 

 vagabonds impose upon the unsuspecting foster-mothers in these 

 violated homes, and these same foster-mothers show by their 

 tender care of these merciless intruders, that they are miser- 

 ably fooled, for they carefully guard and feed infant bees, which 

 with age will in turn practice this same nefarious trickery. 



