THE ITALIAN OR IJGUEIAN BEE. 313 



ROBBING. 



Their robbing propensities were also closely watched 

 with the expectation of finding their appetite for maraud- 

 ing, insatiable. This propensity is indicated by their keen 

 sagacity in scenting out any exposed honey that may 

 chance to be in their vicinity. If standing uncovered on 

 a table in the dining room, with the tempting avenue of 

 an open window or door, the bees are quite sure to find 

 it, especially at certain seasons, but the first one on hand 

 is sure to be an Italian, notwithstanding nineteen twen- 

 tieths of the apiary may be natives. Judging from this 

 alone, we should conclude at once that they are unscru- 

 pulous robbers; and no doubt they are when there are 

 colonies within reach, reduced to entire helplessness. But 

 with me they were not half so troublesome as the black 

 rascals. Whether I had no weak stocks to tempt them to 

 begin, or whether they had a little principle of forbear- 

 ance, I cannot tell. To see what they would do, I now 

 had them standing promiscuously with the others through- 

 out the yard. They were kept thus for two seasons with 

 this object expressly in view. I thought it very likely that 

 the wealth of stores which they were reputed to gain 

 much more rapidly than the common bee, would be found 

 to be composed in great part of plunder taken from their 

 neighbors. But the idea had to be dismissed. In self-de- 

 fence, they were vigilant and active. If a native ap- 

 proached the entrance of their domicile, he was seized and 

 despatched without hesitation. Even an Italian venturing 

 too near a strange colony was not favored. But I have 

 kept my little boxes for rearing queens, successfully, 

 though defended by only a handful of bees, till late in 

 November. 



The results of this season's experience were very satis- 

 factory. I found the stocks of Italians, the hybrids as 

 well as those in which the queens had been early intro- 

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