What cozy nooks and
retreats they do spy out, so much more attractive than the painted hive
in the garden, so much cooler in summer and so much warmer in winter!
The bee is in the main an honest citizen; she prefers legitimate to
illegitimate business; she is never an outlaw until her proper sources
of supply fail; she will not touch honey as long as honey-yielding
flowers can be found; she always prefers to go to the fountain-head,
and dislikes to take her sweets at second hand. But in the fall, after
the flowers have failed, she can be tempted. The bee-hunter takes
advantage of this fact; he betrays her with a little honey. He
wants to steal her stores, and he first encourages her to steal his,
then follows the thief home with her booty. This is the whole trick of
the bee-hunter. The bees never suspect his game, else by taking a
circuitous route they could easily baffle him. But the honey-bee has
absolutely no wit or cunning outside of her special gifts as a gatherer
and storer of honey. She is a simple-minded creature, and can be
imposed upon by any novice.
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