Camping and woodcraft - Scoutmastercg.com

BEE HUNTING 359Choose an open glade or hillside, or an old field,or a fire-burnt waste where weeds and vines havesprung up, but free from leafy trees and shrubs, sothat you can see for a considerable distance allaround.If bees are working here, put a little of yourhoney bait in the feeding tray of your box, cautiouslyset the box over the first bee that you find on aflower, and close the bottom with your hand. Thebee will buzz up against the glass, and then soonwill seek the honey. Now set the box on a stumpor other elevation In the midst of a clear space.As stumps are not always to be found where wanted,some bee hunters carry with them a staff pointed atone end and with a bit of shingle tacked to the otherend to serve as a platform for the box.As soon as the bee is hard at work on the hone}'',approach quickly and withdraw the glass slide. Dusthim slightly with flour, or put a bit of paint on hisback just large enough to be noticeable, so you canidentify him when he returns. Then withdraw toone side, get into a comfortable reclining position,and, if you have an opera glass, get it ready foraction.When the bee has gorged himself he will risefrom the bait in half-circles and sudden dodges,generally to one side of the bait, returning towardit, and oscillating back again. He is getting hisbearings.Now he mounts higher and higher in anincreasing spiral. Then, so suddenly that it takesgood eyes or a glass to follow him, he darts off forhome. Watch him as far as you can, and notethe direction of his flight. He will not go throughwoods, but over them. If he flies toward a farmhouse,pay no further attention to him, for he Isa tame bee. In that case, go somewhere else andbegin anew. But If he goes to the big woods, lookat your watch and time his absence. You willknow him when he returns by the mark that vouhave put on him.