176 swAUMixa. 



PIPING OF THE QUEEN. 



On the mo~ning of that day, or the evening previons, by 

 pTitting your jar close to the hive, and listening attentive- 

 ly a few mindtes, you will hear a distinct piping noise like 

 the word peep, uttered several times in succession, and 

 followed by an interval of silence. Two or more may be 

 heard at the same time ; one will be shrill and fine, another 

 hoarse, short and quick. The first is made by the queen 

 that has left her cell, the other by one or more that have 

 matured, but are kept in the cells by the workers, after 

 they have made an opening for their exit. The difference 

 in the sound is probably caused by their wings being 

 cramped by the walls of the cells. They are so little dis- 

 turbed by the removal of a comb, that the piping is con- 

 tinued while you are looking at the very comb upon which 

 they happen to be. This piping is easily heard by any one 

 not actually deaf, and there is not the least danger of its 

 being mistaken for any humming ; in fact, it is not to be 

 mistaken for any thing, even when it is heard for the first 

 time. These notes can probably never be heard, except 

 when the hive contains a plurality of queens. 



Itiever failed to hear it, previous to any after-swarm, 

 whenever I listened. The time that the piping commences 

 will be later than specified, in some colonies, if the weather 

 is cool, or there are not many bees left ; it may be twelve 

 or fourteen days after the first swarm.* 



Also, the swarm may not issue in two oi' three days af- 

 ter you hear the piping. The longer the swarm delays, 

 the louder will be the j)iping. I have heard it distinctly 

 twenty feet, by listening attentively when I knew one was 

 thus engaged. By putting the ear against the hive, it may 

 be heard even in the middle of the day, or at any time 



' When first swarms issue before the queens in llie old hive h.-ive advanced 

 much, as they sometimes do, the second swarms issue from twelve lo sixteen 

 days afterward. 



