ENEMIES OF BEES. 289 



instinct has taught most animals the proper kind of 

 food, and might direct the birds in this case. If it 

 was not sufficient, a little experience in catching bees 

 provided with stings, might impart the important dif- 

 ference, in one or two lessons. I once had a chicken 

 that knew the difference by some means, and would 

 stand by the hive and devour every drone, the mo- 

 ment it touched the board, while the workers would 

 pass by him in scores untouched 1 



Now, whether this. taking the drones is a disad- 

 vantage or otherwise, would depend entirely upon 

 circumstances. If honey was a little scarce, the less 

 we had of them th.e better ; it would also save the 

 bees some trouble in dispatching them. It is probably 

 a matter of so little moment to our bees, that it will 

 not pay for powder to shoot them. 



Martins, and a kind of swallows, are said to be 

 guilty of taking bees on some occasions ; but as they 

 pursue them on the wing (if they do), the same re- 

 marks will apply as to the king-bird. 



CAT-BIRD ACQUITTED. 



The cat-bird also comes in for a share of censure. 

 It is said " they will get right down by the hive, and 

 pick up bees by the hundred." Yet, right in the face 

 of this charge, I am disposed to acquit him. With 

 the closest observation, I find him about the hive, 

 picking up onZy young and immature bees, such as are 

 removed from the combs and thrown out. They may 

 be seen as soon as the first rays of light make objects 

 visible about the apiary, looking for their morning 

 13 



