>I often saw swarms living in bushes. I figured they simply gave up looking
for a suitable place and stayed where they were.
>
>A good size swarm in favorable weather, if it does not pick a nest site in
the first few days, will often build a small comb where it landed and the
queen will start laying eggs.  

Right, but I am talking about swarms living year 'round outdoors. Not
uncommon at all in regions with a Mediterranean climate. But I don't think
they do it by choice. I am pretty sure they would much rather be in a hollow
tree or a cave than living unprotected in a bush. The problem is scarcity of
suitable cavities.

pb

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