358 ROBBING AND HOW PREVENTED. 



CHAPTER XIV. 



Robbing, aud How Prevented. 



An ounce of prevention is worth a ton of cure. 



664. Bees are so prone to rob each other, in time of 

 scarcity, that, unless great precautions are used, the Apia- 

 rist will often lose some of his most promising colonies. 

 Idleness is, with them, as with men, a fruitful mother of 

 mischief. They are, however, far more excusable than the 

 lazy rogues of the human family ; for they seldom attempt 

 to live on stolen sweets, when they can procure a sufficiency 

 by honest industry. 



As soon as they can leave their hives in the Spring, they 

 may begin to assail the weaker colonies. In this matter, 

 the morals of our little friends seem to be sadly at fault ; 

 for, those colonies which have the largest surplus are — like 

 some rich oppressors — the most anxious to prey upon the 

 meagre possessions of others. 



If the marauders, who are ever prowling about in search 

 of plunder, attack a strong and healthy colony, they are 

 usually glad to escape with their lives from its resolute 

 defenders. The bee-keeper, therefore, who neglects to 

 watch his needy colonies, and to assist such as are weak or 

 queenless, must count upon suffering heavy losses from 

 robber-bees. 



665. It is sometimes difficult, for the novice, to discrim- 

 inate between the honest inhabitants of a hive, and the 

 robbers which often mingle with them. There is, however, 

 an air of roguery about a thieving bee which, to the expert, 

 is as characteristic as are the motions of a pickpocket to a 

 skillful policeman. Its sneaking look, and nervous, guilty 



