SYMPTOMS PRIOR TO A SECOND SWARM. 47 
SYMPTOMS PRIOR TO A SECOND SWARM. 
The most distinctive symptom of a second swarm issuing, is a sin- 
gular noise made by the queen, called piping; this continues gen- 
erally for two of three days and nights in succession ; it may be heard 
at intervals at the distance of several feet from the hive, if particular at- 
tention be paid to notice it; frequently the voices of two or more queens 
may be heard at the same time, though differing intone. The follow- 
ing extract is from Dr, Bevan’s work, and is from the observations of 
Mr. Golding. Mr. G. says: “On the 7th of June a first swarm issued 
from one of his hives; on the 14th piping commenced, two days 
sooner than it is usually heard; but what appeared still more singu- 
lar, the piping was not in a clear and plaintive, but in a short, 
hoarse key. Nevertheless, the notes proceeded from a senior prin- 
cess; this unusual cadence being found to arise from her piping be- 
fore she had obtained her liberty. After it had continued for two 
days, she emerged from her cell, when the hoarse notes immediately 
gave place to the plaintive ones. Soon afterwards another princess 
hoarsely responded; they piped together for the usual term of three 
days, the notes of each being marked throughout by the usual distinc- 
tive intonation. The first piping was manifestly premature, but it 
clearly shows the cause of different sounds that usually precede an 
after-swarm. The queen that is at liberty, when piping, stands, or 
rather squats, and exhibits a tremulous motion with her body and 
wings, the latter moving slowly in a horizontal direction; the motion 
resembles the working of a pair of bellows with their edges held ver- 
tically. On the first day the sound which she utters is rather indis- 
tinct, on the second it becomes clearer and louder; it is long and 
plaintive, particularly the starting note, and is repeated five, six, or 
more times in succession, in a clear, shrill key, but becomes shorter 
and shorter each time. The note of the imprisoned princess, which 
generallyecommences on the second day, is hoarse, dull, and short 
throughout.” : 
This piping generally commences in seven or nine days (though in 
some instances a few days later) after the first swarm has left the 
hive, and often continues for a period of two or three days; if the 
