I don't know if this qualifies as parroting or not.
For every 10 lb (4.5 kg) of honey that a colony consumes, about 1 gal (3.8 I) of water is produced. This water escapes from the overwintering colony as vapor. Provision should be made for the escape of this moisture-laden air, or ice may form on the cover above the cluster and drip over the bees during thawing. Some frost formation on the cover is not objectionable, but excess frost or ice is not good. A top entrance for the overwintering colony will allow the moist air to escape, as well as provide a ready Hight entrance during thawing when cleansing flights are possible. Most practical is a 1- or 3/4-in ( 2.5 or 1.9-cm) diameter auger hole provided in the top hive body just below the front hand hold.—USDA, 1977
PLB
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