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Humble Bees

Cupboard IX

C3, 10

42

For Letters

[1v-2]

[Sketch of part of the grounds of Down House (1854) with the paths of bumble bees]

N

K. Garden → Pollard oak → Oak to Big Beech 57 yard

B. Beech → Beech to Ash 85 y → Crutch Ash [Heather Bush] Thorn

Ivy Leaf → 38 yard to end Sandwalk wood

Sp. Ch Ditch. Oak → ash Shew ash 1 45 yards Shaw ash 2 ??

[First] Ash → 71 yards → Old Holly Grt Oak → 21 y → Small Ash

July 31st one came out of hole of Sp. Ch

Aug 1 Saw 1 or 2 cut off circle of Span. Ch. & go Sti Shaw Ash 91) but I suspect called on way

East

[1b]

(Humble Bees)

Sept 8 1854

1 per minute

Buzzing places every few yards calling [same dots]

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Sept 8th-13th 1854

George observed numerous Humble-bees (I think all same species) go & buzz at spot at foot of ash. I cleared away all leaves & rubbish, feeling sure there was a nest—but none—this clearing made no difference. Then observed that Bees mostly went through grt fork of Ash, or round grt bole, & buzzed at a spot on bole; then flew along side hedge & ditch & buzzed at (3) bare ground, then along ditch to ivy leaves (4), then along deepish dry ditch, lined by ivy & full of thorns (so go by only slowly) & out by round hole in hedge at end by (5) Spanish Chesnut. I think sometimes though rarely went straight along outside ditch. — One day all travelled in this

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course, other days a good many came travelling in back direction, but I think never so many.— Hoop-net which placed on (3) buzz place, did not prevent bees coming & so caught, so not guided by vision—

Powdered bee flew away but afterwards returned.—

At Buzz 5, there seems branching off. some go obliquely across field towards flower garden: others to great ash, 5(a) but very many of these first went up hedge to South (probably to Buzz 6.) & then returned in a ∆.

From ash 5a I think they go to great oak— But most from hole in

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hedge by Spanish Ch. (5) do not buzz there but go [short] south along hedge, to dead leaf in hedge (6), This buzzing place singular as it lies rather in rubbish of hedge & Bees have to fly in & out a good way out of course.

From 6. they go a little along hedge & then over it to 6(a) or still further to between two ash-branches (7) into the shaw. Here those that have gone over by 6a join same route. I have seen several fly from 6 to 5.—

Here the Bees come into generally fly to near ground. some go buzz about & then go back out of Shaw & apparently

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on Southward, but others (I saw 3) go through thickest part of shaw, obliquely into the sand-walk by seat on old Fir.—

These buzzing places must cause extreme delay. Do not come in afternoon 4-5. I have chiefly observed observed only 12-1 1/2. Come over at about 1 per minute to Buzz (1).─

Sept. 14 Stormy. 12 3/4 oclock. Think Bees flying about, but not one watched for 1/4 hour on to track. At last they came quite quick in reverse course from Buzz 2 to a new Buzz (—1 Frank), deep in ditch, (just as if going into a hole) then down almost straight for 20 yards sand-walk; but Etty says that some went towards K. garden. One came from — 1 to 2 & thence toward 2, 3, etc.─

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Sept. 15th─ 1854.

Have quite deserted Buzz 1. Now go back & forward from — 1 Franky Buzz—to 2, & thence direct without calling at to Spanish Chesnut, (5) thence some to ash & some round corner to 6 &c. —

From — 1 a few went to sand walk, but most along hedge, calling at buzzing places every few yards to Big Beech, thence with many calls to Pollard Oak, thence over K. wall into Sales Field.—

Buzz 2. being quite white with flower made no difference in the calls. When dusted at 2 generally always went direct to 5 then back to all calling places to the kitchen garden.—at 3 1/2 none.

[5b]

Sept. 17th Things go as usual at — 1 Frank buzz going in 3 ways thence, but some went through hedge.

Observed that a different species buzzed all along straight hedge of sandwalk, at shorter intervals & never on ground, & very uncertainly at each buzzing place.

But certainly they did have numerous buzzing stages.—

Sept. 25th much cold weather but saw some Bees go to buzzing places at pollard Oak by K. garden.—

The other Humbles by straight Sand walk quite active.—

[5bv]

Sept. 29th very fine days, several Bees out, all visited Backy's buzzing place, then went up either side of the thorn bush, then crossed over head to great limb of Ash, & so up the limb, half up tree to where lost to view.─

Oct. 2nd. saw Bees going up thorn & crossing over with greatest precision to one spot of great limb.—never have seen one come in reversed direction, but all from K. garden along walk.

v. Trans. Entomolog. Soc. (new s.) vol. 1 Part 6th. p. 87 1851.

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1855

July 23/ 1855/. George & Franky observed yesterday & 2 or 3 days ago several Humble Bees at buzzing Places.—This day I saw them going to identical spot under crutch, where they were first seen last year.—Some now go round & towards Spanish Chesnut tree. others go along walk, buzzing every now & then: they buzz in hole on S. side of great Beech, instead of on N. side, & at almost identical spot, if not very identical spot, on old Oak Pollard.— Bees went both ways.

Willy is almost sure that one Bee stopped at flower & then went on course. —

Several of the Bees seemed only slightly to pause over the Beech buzzing places; & some seemed to have difficulty in finding their buzzing places.

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July 24th. After rainy morning watching at oak pollard two 3 first bees came from West.—

Ascertained some stop to suck visit flowers on road. — 3 Bees at intervals came from Ash Pollard to oak Pollard, & buzzed in rather different way from others, which go on visiting some leaves & flying about & then turned & went back, visiting the buzzing places on walk-side & going back to big Beech. Surely it is too early & too many for all these Bees to be mere promenaders.—

4' 50' Bees yet visiting Pollard Oak. They do suck flowers on road.—

July 25th at 10.30 A.m. Bees at oak Pollard. often suck flowers on road. Seems almost general rule. At Oak Pollard at least 2 Roads diverge. —

I saw 2 Bees enter hole by Spanish Chesnut

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(1855)

(when Hurdle now put) & fly along Ditch; I think do not come out on old side of Hedge.—It is impossible the Bees cd have hit accidentally 2 years successively on so obscure a hole: describe how long we were before we cd find out this hole. ─

July 28th Saw 5 Bees enter hole by Spanish chesnut; one or two entered rather 18 above hole. also saw them at crutch.—

July 29th 11 3/4 A.m. watched hole by Spanish chesnut & saw during 1 1/2 hours from 40-50 Bees enter, & not one come out of Hole. The greater number went (as by plan from Field Ash to foot of little ash & then through hole to base up little Oak, then up oak & then by e W East of little ash (making circle & then by a very long flight to "Shaw ash 1 & 2.—I saw some crawl through hedge

[7v]

Bees flew in longest range from Sp. Chesnut Hole to Shaw ash 1 in 6 1/2 second a little over 10 miles an hour.─

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by little ash, so as to cut off circle & yet come back & go through proper route. Some few of them instead of going as described turned to west & flew apparently towards crutch ash.—

Again some thought by Willy to be larger & more buzzing Bees, came along ditch from S. to foot of Ditch oak & then turned to west & apparently flew back towards Crutch Ash.

At Crutch ash (having no effect) some go along wall west to old Grt. Beech &c. — often into sandwalk & others round tree up towards Spanish Chesnut, apparently turning into ditch.—

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(1855)

Aug' 17th Splendid day 12 1/2 to 1 oclock. Watched for 20' & saw not one Bee enter hole by Spanish Chesnut. — But saw 3 enter hedge about 3 yds S. of spanish ch turn by A, in reverse course to that formerly marked by Willy. —

Also watched Crutch & cob-web shows quite given up that place. In fact very few Bees about ⸮ Has one set died & another not yet born. —

Aug 22d. saw 3 Bees at Crutch B. 2 flew towards Spanish Ch. & one along walk. —

From Spider's web I do not believe wd have buzzed before here.—

1 looked large & bright yellow. — Saw Queen bee visiting Teazle flower.

Aug 23 saw Bees at Crutch, & they went through crutch, & towards spanish ch tree, entering by last years Ivy leaf Buzz, but did not come out by hole by spanish Ch tree. One or two went up young thorn S. of thorn of last year. —

Aug. 29th Saw Bees several go to exact spot at bottom of Thorn (last year Franky Buzzing Place); but not up the tree. Thence most went round ash to near or about old Ivy.

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Buzz & then almost through Hedge at bottom to some sand, & then apparently along hedge bottom— Some, however, went to Crutch Buzz. All then came from K. garden way. Two Bees after going to Franky went about 4 ft back toward K. garden, buzzed & again came to Franky Buzz. Now there are scores of trees like Franky Buzz.

It certainly appears they keep to same buzzing places, though course altered.

Sept 7th Saw Bee at Crutch Buzz.

Sept 26. Fine day, saw several Bees at crutch: some went through: none called at Thorn.— also saw 2 or 3 go into hole within one foot of old hole by Spanish chestnut: some also buzzed at foot of Spanish Ch. at old place.

Sept 27th. Many at Crutch. called at marked place on S. side of great Beech, & at old buzzing place on old oak Pollard.—

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1856

I several times watched before this date & saw none.

July 10th. Observed bees coming out of 2 or 3 (This is male of Bombus pratorum) near holes at end of hedge in sand-walk by ash & crossing walk buzzing a little about hedge to left of a hole in hedge, then fly into hole & then flying along bottom of hedge westward. Today (11') saw one coming opposite course. 12th saw another coming opposite course.

Also today 11th saw Bombus Hortorum at bottom of Franky's Thorn: came in there & then flew toward big Beech.—one other crossed towards old Ivy-leaf buzzing place.—12th saw both species, as before.—

July 25th saw B. Hortorum go to tree-foot, next to Franky's thorn, then fly along walk to S. side of Big Beech Tree.—one from this place went to surface of old ash, 18 inches from old buzzing place, then round towards old Ivy leaf & then I believe to bottom of Hedge

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How on earth do Bees coming separately out of nest discover same place, is it like Dogs at corner-stones?

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1856

near hole by Spanish Chesnut tree. I saw two go into the very old hole (& one by hole within foot's distance) by the Spanish Chesnut tree: I suspect came out near Crutch buzzing place. One buzzed at Oak by garden & then came to Franky buzzing place & then towards Spanish Chesnut. Some went into sand walk from new Crutch place.—

July 26th. Saw bee go Ivy-ash & then to Franky buzz & then along Swalk to Beech.

Saw many go from Franky bu towards Spanish Ch. tree, & some called at ground buzzing place about yard from Hole. One turned back at this buzzing place & went into the Hole.

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1856

Several called at Buzz within yard of Hole, coming from along the hedge running Eastward, & went into Holes & then buzzed at foot of same young ash as last year & then went along bottom of Hedge.—

Lenny thinks two kinds call at Franky Buzz, coming from Big Beech, & all go up, towards spanish chesnut, but only a few, the larger ones, come to the ground Buzzing place within yard of Hole: I am inclined to believe true.—

I have as yet seen Bees only go into Hole.

July 30' saw several go to Backy's Thorn, then buzz about 18 inches to east, then go to west side of old ash, then to the east side where covered by ivy & then round corner into sand walk.

[3v]

Do not females find males by their Buzzing places? several females & not nearly so many males as with Hive Bee.

[4]

1856

Aug 2d. saw Bee go to red old Crutch buzzing place.—

1857

Aug 28. After having several times casually watched, saw Bees at old used Crutch Buzzing place, after going into hollow, they flew a little up to right hand to some ivy leaves, & then straight down walk towards summer house.

Sept. 16th Saw 2 Bees go to Thorn by the old Ash: they went not to root, but low down, & then went high up where I lost sight of them.

Sept. 17' saw several on same thorn— one flew up towards Branch of big ash-tree, as anciently— the rest just flew round big ash, toward corner with spanish Chesnut. — I saw what I fancied was female come & find with difficulty the tree: & it rested on twigs & seemed to sting them!!

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1858. I watched many days & saw none until Lenny saw one on Sept. 14. To day (15') I also saw them at old identical crutch spot; several then flew first round gate to another little hollow at foot of tree: & some flew through the crutch & then went up towards Spanish chesnut; but it did not come out of hole by Sp. Tree. ─

1859.—Aug 12 very few Humble Bees—saw few buzzing at tall thorn, (not former one) but close within iron-hurdle within sand-walk— They apparently then flew up the ash tree. They began buzzing really high up the Thorn.—

Aug 18 & 19' The Bees now buzz in old thorn-trees, as during former years; but they do not begin at base, but 3 or 4 ft up & then go up branch to top & so up to big Ash.—N.B. I never saw Bees go down thorn-trees or come back through cr crutch, so must be to certain extent a circuit. ─

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1859 continued.

Aug. 24th. To day Bees visiting old place in numbers under Ash-crutch; but they buzz a few inches higher above weedy ground.— They go & come after buzzing by 3 routes (1) from sand walk. (2) after buzzing they just go round tree, as formerly, & rebuzz & go along walk to K. garden (3) they come from latter course, buzz, & then instead of flying through crutch, they take new line & go into hedge close on N.E. side of ash, & apparently go along Hedge, but I could not see any coming out at hole by Spanish chesnut. — A few got buzzing up thorn-tree—I now think mere liking of same place causes similarity on successive years. —

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Aug. 13 1861. Torquay. B. lucorum.

Saw Humble-Bees different from Down species many buzzing repeatedly at same spot a foot or two up stem of Pinaster on edge of walk— Went round tree & buzzed much longer than old species. Three times I saw Bee alight on several leaves & stem of tree & apparently examine them closely— From this tree, they fly in 2 courses along the walk, & high up to another Pinaster above.

I fancy I saw large female buzzing in this tree.—They always come from one way—

I have now seen them for a full week, many buzzing—

After about a fortnight they changed & gave up this Tree. ─

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Humble Bees. Sept. 9 1861.

I have watched occasionally during last fortnight. The original spot at foot of crutch almost deserted—I have watched whilst many bees have gone to neighbouring places many times & have seen only one go to base of crutch & through the crutch— Some came out of Hole of Hedge on sand-walk side of old ash─ & many buzz at the thorn tree which they used to go up & on both thorn trees near. There are many Buzzes.

At hole in Hedge by Spanish Chesnut on W. side there is ivy covered thorn at which very many buzz this is new.— Several came along bottom of Hedge, but instead of coming out by Hole by Hurdle, they turn

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within the shaw & buzz at foot of little ash close by & then at another young ash close by.—I am convinced the Bees instinct may lead them to same sort of places.—

Journal of Hort.- or Cottage Gardener 1861 Oct. 22 p. 767 on Humble Bees fertilized on ground or on flowers or coming out of nest—does not favour idea of Buzzing connected with marriage.—

F. Smith has seen them in union on flowers

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B. pratorum

Bombus lucorum was Torquay Buzzing species

In Ent. soc (new ser) vol. I Part 6. 1851 p. 87.

Col. Newman