City of the Bees, first published in 1947, is a lyrical account of one year in the life of a wild bee colony: the dangers faced - from badgers, wasps, moths, robber bees, mice, and woodpeckers - as the colony moves to a new location, the quiet period of winter, followed by rebirth in the spring, and the death of the queen. Also portrayed are the various roles performed by members of the colony: farmers, nurses, sentries, drones, caregivers for the young, and the queen bee herself.