Bumblebees (Bombus, species): Bumblebees are common visitors to flowers. Their heavy body seems much too bulky for flight. The bee makes its nest in old mouse nests on the ground and a careful search for such nests will generally result in discovery of a Bumblebee’s home.
Honey Bee (Apis mellifera): The well-known Honey Bee was brought to this country from Europe. It has now become a common “wild” bee as well as a domesticated species. You may find some wild-bee colonies in hollow trees, particularly on Castle Hill.
INSECT COLLECTING—AN INEXPENSIVE HOBBY
Insects are everywhere and it is easy to collect them. Practically no expense is required to produce a very beautiful collection. Some of the seaside insects are most unusual and not available elsewhere, so it would be well to start your collection right here. Some references that will help you are:
Donald J. Borror and Dwight M. DeLong, An Introduction to the Study of Insects. New York: Rinehart, 1954. $10.00 Alexander B. Klots and E. B. Klots, Living Insects of the World. New York: Doubleday, 1959. $9.95 Su Zan Noguchi Swain, Insects in Their World. New York: Garden City Books, 1955. $2.95 Herbert S. Zim and Clarence Cottam, Insects: A Guide to Familiar American Insects. Rev. ed. New York: Golden Press, 1956. Cloth $2.50, paper $1.00
Chapter 6
MEETING THE MAMMALS
Mammals are defined simply as warm-blooded animals that have hair and nourish their young on milk. They are considered the highest form of Earth life. They are common everywhere, but their secretive habits make observation difficult. You may consider yourself quite fortunate if you see even one or two of the mammals living on Castle Neck during a single visit here.
In this chapter lengths given are measurements from the nose to tip of the tail.
INSECT-EATING MAMMALS: SHREWS
Short-tailed Shrew (Blarina brevicauda)