ENEMIES OF BEES. 
289 
instinct has taught most annuals the proper kind ot 
food, and might direct the hirds in this case. If it 
was not sufficient, a little experience in catching bees 
provided with stings, might impart the important dif- 
ference, in one or two lessons. I once had a chicken 
that knew the difference by some means, and would 
stand by the hive and devour every drone, the mo- 
ment it touched the board, while the workers would 
pass by him in scores untouched ! 
Now, whether this taking the drones is a disad- 
vantage or otherwise, would depend entirely upon 
circumstances. If honey was a little scarce, the less 
we had of them the better ; it would also save the 
bees some trouble in dispatching them. It is probably 
a matter of so little moment to our bees, that it will 
not pay for powder to shoot them. 
Martins, and a kind of swallows, are saicl to be 
guilty of taking bees on some occasions ; but as they 
pursue them on the wing (if tli^y do), the same re- 
marks will apply as to the king-bird. 
CAT-BIRD ACQUITTED. 
The cat-bird also comes in for a share of censure. 
It is said “they will get right down by the hive, and 
pick up bees by the hundred.” Yet, right in the face 
of this charge, I am disposed to acquit him. With 
the closest observation, I find him about the hive, 
picking up only young and immature bees, such as are 
removed from the combs and thrown out. They may 
be seen as soon as the first rays of light make objects 
visible about the apiary, looking for their morning 
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