THE INTELLIGENCE OF WASPS.
THE greatest display of wasp intelligence I ever saw manifested was by a queen in early spring. A little earthen bird-house was fastened under the eaves in the rear of the house, and she selected this snug retreat as a fitting place to rear the future colony. She had commenced work when a pair of bluebirds disputed her right to the house. The queen is necessarily absent much of the time scraping weather-beaten boards or posts to get material to make her paper cells, and during her absence the birds were busily at work carrying in material for their nest. But soon I heard them making a plaintive noise. They stood on the edge of the roof, the female with her mouth full of straw, and whenever she attempted to go to the house the wasp would dart toward her and drive her back. But this state of affairs could not last long. The queen must go on with her work, and no sooner was she gone than the birds recommenced the building, and were fast filling up the house. And now this wise queen went to other queens—who probably had not yet commenced to work, as it was April—and made them understand the dilemma she was in, and five sisters came to her aid, and remained on the outside of the little house while she went to and fro on her journeys, and each time the birds came near they would dart at them. This continued until the birds were driven from the field and obliged to take another house. And now the five queens disappeared, leaving their sister in peaceful possession of the property.—Wide Awake.