360 ROBBING AND HOW PREVENTED. 
wherever they can find them, and any sweet, which they 
can reach, by the most strenuous efforts, is considered by 
them, at once, as their private property. Were it not for 
this disposition of the bee, to hunt for sweets everywhere, 
and take them home, the honey of those colonies that dwell 
in the woods, and frequently perish during the Winter, 
would be wasted. The propensity to rob is acquired only 
during a dearth of honey in the flowers; for bees have a 
much greater relish for fresh honey, as produced in the blos- 
soms, than for any other sweet on earth. This is so true, 
that ina day of abundant harvest, honey may be left ex- 
poscd where bees can reach it, without being touched, or 
even approached, by a single bee, for hours; while, if 
placed in the very same spot during a dearth of honey, it 
will be covered with bees in very few minutes. 
If the bee-keeper would not have his bees so demoralized 
that their value will be seriously diminished, he will be 
exceedingly careful in time of scarcity to prevent them from 
robbing each other. If the bees of a strong colony once 
get a taste of forbidden sweets, they will seldom stop until 
they have tested the strength of every hive. Even if all the 
colonies are able to defend themselves, many bees will be 
lost in these encounters, and much time wasted; for bees, 
whether engaged in robbing, or battling against robbers, 
lose both the disposition and the ability to engage in use- 
ful labors. 
667. An experienced bee-keeper readily perceives when 
any robbing is going on in his Apiary. Bees are flying 
vagrantly about, hunting in nooks and corners, and at all 
the hive-crevices. Extensive robbing causes a general up- 
roar, and the bees of all the hives are much more disposed 
to sting. The robbers sally out with the first peep of light, 
and often continue their depredations until it is so late that 
they cannot find the entrance to their hive. Some even 
pass the night in the plundered colony. 
