Tailor and Mason Bees. 33 



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 earth, in 

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

 folds of a partially-knit sock, which a good house-wife had 

 chanced to leave stationary for some days. These leaf- 

 cutters often have 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 have rarely seen the hive-bee on these 

 vines. The tailor-bees often cut the foliage of the same 

 vines quite badly. The males of these tailor bees have 

 curiously modified, and broadly fringed anterior legs 

 (Fig- 3)- 



Fig. 3. 



Anterior Le^ of Male Megai h'te, 



I have often reared beautiful bees of the genera Osmia, 

 and Augochlora, which are also called mason-bees as 

 already stated. 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 sum- 

 mer, during warm days, these glistening gems of life are 

 frequently seen in w:ilks and drives intent on gathering 

 earth for mortar, or digging holes, and will hardly escape 

 identification by the observing apiarist, as their form is so 

 much like that of our honey-bees. They are smaller, yet 

 their broad head, prominent eyes, and general form, are 

 very like those of the equally quick and active, yet more 

 3 



