. [Articles about birds from National geographic magazine]. Birds. MAN'S WINGED ALLY, THE BUSY HONEYBEE 415 12 o'clock in the morn- ing. Most of the bees that have attained fly- ing age (and this in- cludes virtually all the field bees) rush out of the hive, tumbling over one another in their eagerness to taste the thrills of the great adventure. Back and forth in front of the hive, in sharp straight flights, they take wing until thousands are in the air, the queen with them. Likely as not, this flying entangle- ment will shortly move toward some tree or fence post. A few bees settle, and then
. [Articles about birds from National geographic magazine]. Birds. MAN'S WINGED ALLY, THE BUSY HONEYBEE 415 12 o'clock in the morn- ing. Most of the bees that have attained fly- ing age (and this in- cludes virtually all the field bees) rush out of the hive, tumbling over one another in their eagerness to taste the thrills of the great adventure. Back and forth in front of the hive, in sharp straight flights, they take wing until thousands are in the air, the queen with them. Likely as not, this flying entangle- ment will shortly move toward some tree or fence post. A few bees settle, and then a few more, until within 10 to 15 minutes all have alighted in a tightly packed mass. Shortly after the swarm settles, scout bees fly in all directions to search for a new abode, or, being fore- minded, they may have attended to this duty several days before. If a place already has been located, the bees may take to the air again within a few min- utes. Assuming a for- mation that looks like a hazy smoke ball 10 to 20 feet in diameter, the swarm gradually works its way through the tree tops and, clearing all obstructions, seems to float like an enormous soap bubble, making a "bee line" toward its new home. If the scouts fail to find a hollow tree or a cozy nook in someone's attic, the bees will continue to hang at their first stopping place for several hours, or even for several days. Should the scouts fail entirely in finding habitable quarters, the bees may decide to "camp out" and build their comb in the open air. All the young bees, the brood, the honey, and the combs, including interest and good will, are left in the parent Photograph by International News don't stroke this beard of bees! A Vincennes, Indiana, fancier handles his pets gently and says he has little fear of stings. Apiarists are stung frequently, but some are less affected by the poison than others (see text, page 405). Bees are most agreeable about midday. Their anger rises quick
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