132 THE HISTORY OF BEES. 
true Bees are left inevitably to die thro’ famine, which 
is far worfe than fudden death. 
Sometimes it is not only a fingle ftock that is thus 
employed, but feveral are in arms at once, and not eafi- 
ly compofed. I have before directed how to prevent 
this mifchief. 
Another enemy is the ane efpecially the field- 
moufe. Thefe are dangerous, and deftroy multitudes 
every winter in our kingdom ; therefore carefully guard 
againft them. I once loft a ftock by this means, and 
only that once ; they had made a neft among the combs, 
and bred young. 
_ Keep the door therefore fo clofe that a moufe can- 
not enter, and examine the hackle, to diflodge them from 
thence. An effectual prefervative would be to place 
your hives fo, that it may be impoffible for a moufe to 
afcend ; as many of mine are. Alfo place traps in your 
Bee-garden. I caught no lefs than thirty mice in one 
garden the laft winter, and the fame number of tit- 
mice. a 
The titmoufe is a great devourer of Bees, ten or 
twelve being fcarce fufficient for his breakfaft, often re- 
turning for a frefh feaft, Tearing the Bee to pieces, he 
eats the entrails, and drops the reft. 
Frequently have I found him knocking at the door, 
when no fooner doth the poor innocent Bee appear to 
enquire what gave the alarm, but fhe is feized, and be» 
comes his prey. The fame enemy often feizes them 
when abroad, Shoot them, or fet traps for them. 
The 
