Mason-bee

When confronted with tubes too small to receive all her family, she is in the same plight as the Mason-bee in the presence of an old nest.

Bramble-Bees and Others Jean-Henri Fabre 1869

Here females are found in the centre of the group and males at the circumference, in somewhat smaller cells, thus repeating what the Mason-bee of the Pebbles has told us.

Bramble-Bees and Others Jean-Henri Fabre 1869

All that I had to do was to lay some reed-stumps horizontally within her reach, in the immediate neighbourhood of her usual haunts, namely, the nests of the Mason-bee of the Sheds.

Bramble-Bees and Others Jean-Henri Fabre 1869

Mason-bee of the Pebbles are able to do duty for three years, if not more.

Bramble-Bees and Others Jean-Henri Fabre 1869

True, in such cases economy of space is strained to the utmost, the apartments provided by the Mason-bee of the Shrubs being very small as it is, despite their entrance-halls.

Bramble-Bees and Others Jean-Henri Fabre 1869

For so costly an establishment, therefore, the Resin-bee collects her pitch on the dead pine as copiously as the Mason-bee collects her mortar on the macadamized road.

Bramble-Bees and Others Jean-Henri Fabre 1869

Mason-bee of the Pebbles (see Mason-bee of the Walls).

Bramble-Bees and Others Jean-Henri Fabre 1869

The nest of the Mason-bee of the Pebbles is hardly more massive.

Bramble-Bees and Others Jean-Henri Fabre 1869

Failing anything better, she may establish herself in the dilapidated dome of the Mason-bee of the

Bramble-Bees and Others Jean-Henri Fabre 1869

The passing ages will never teach her, neither the struggle for life nor the law of selection will ever induce her to imitate the Mason-bee and collect dry dust for her mortar.

Bramble-Bees and Others Jean-Henri Fabre 1869