290 SUMMKB. 



supply, as well as frequent visits during the day. 

 Should an unlucky worm be in sight just theni 

 while looking up a place for spinning a cocoon, or a 

 moth reposing on some corner of the hive, their fate 

 is at once decided. Before destroying this bird, it 

 would be well to judge by actual observation as to 

 facts ; otherwise we might " destroy a friend instead 

 of a foe." 



TOAD GOT CLEAR. 



A toad is discovered near the hives, and forthwith 

 he is executed as a bee-eater. " He ought to be killed 

 for his looks, if nothing else !" He is thus often sacri- 

 ficed really on account of his appearance, while pre- 

 tending he is a villain. It is true his " feathers" will 

 not vie in brilliancy with the plumage of the hum- 

 ming-bird, and do not gratify ideality — therefore he 

 is dispatched. The next week the complaint is made 

 that the little bugs, that he might have destroyed, 

 " have eaten up all the little cucumbers and cabbages." 

 His food is probably small insects. Whoever has, 

 seen him swallow bees, must have watched closer than 

 I ever did. 



WASPS AND HORNETS NOT FAVORED. 



As for the frequent visits of the black-wasp in the 

 sunny days of spring, but little can be said in their 

 fevor — they seem to have no other object but to tease 

 and irritate the bees. I never could discover that they 

 entered the hive for the purpose of plunder. They 

 have frequent battles with the bees, but I never saw 



