A BIRD AND BEE FIGHT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 3, 3 January 1877, Page 4

A BIRD AND BEE FIGHT.

The following curious incident is related by the Maryborough Chtoniele (Queensland):^"There is a small bird in this district, aa in other parts of the Colony, which lives, if not wholly, iu a great measure, upon bees. The insects know their enemy, and his appearance in the vicinity of the hive produces an evident panic throughout the community. We witnessed a novel fight tbe other day. One of these birds had taken, up a position ia a banana grove, from whence he issued occasionally. Flying swiftly past the door of the hive he would each time secure a bee. At last, bee nature oould stand tbe insults no longer. A council of | war was held, and it was determined I to attack- the enemy and put him to flight or perish in the attempt. We presume this, because a swarm of bees gathered, and, evidently led by some plucky general, made for the banana grove. The bird at first made light of the attack. He playfully annihilated a half-dozen or so of his enemies,- but be found, no doubt to his dismay, that the other members of the host were in no way discouraged. They settled oo bis legs and head, and the excited manner in which he pecked them off showed tbat he felt the effects of their tiny spears. Then be opend his wings and, with no little difficulty, flew out of 1 sight, When he disappeared, however, he was literally covered with bees, and we have no donbt but that his career thenceforth would be an exceedingly short one. Meanwhile the bees who bad 'remained at home seemed in an un- • usually excited state, as if they! thorouply .enjoyed the bulletins they received every minute from the seat of iwar.*' ,