398 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



on the Anderson Eiver, by Mr. MacFarlane, both of which, with the female 

 parents, are in the possession of the Institution. Altliough there is fre- 

 quently considerable difference beween individuals, there appears to be no 

 difference between tliose from the two continents. 



Habits. Tlie Wa.xwing is, in many respects, one of the most interesting 

 and remarkable of the birds of Xorth America. Tlie roving character of its 

 life, the mystery, still only imperfectly solved, oi' its habits and residence 

 during its breeding-season, and its somewhat cosmopolitan residence in Eu- 

 rope, Asia, and America, impart to it an interest that attaches to but few 

 other species. Though not common in any portions of tiie United States, 

 and only appearing at all during midwinter, yet in the more northern States, 

 in which it is occasionally found, it moves in such large Hocks, and is so 

 noticeable and conspicuous a bird, tliat it never fails to make a lasting im- 

 pression, and hardly seems to us so very rare as it undoubtedly is. 



In a single instance, in midwinter, somewhere about 1844, during a severe 

 snow-storm, a large flock of tliese birds made their appearance in Boston, and 

 aljghted on a large liorse-chestnut tree that stood in an open and retired 

 place. There were at least twenty or thirty in the flock ; they remained in 

 their shelter undisturbed for some time, and their true specific character 

 was plainly noticeable. 



Several specimens were procuruil near Worcester, Mass., and gi\en to Dr. 

 Bryant. Eleven individuals of this species were shot in Bolton by Mr. S. 

 Jillson, January, 1864, and others have since been noticed in Watertown by 

 Mr. William Brewster. They have also been obtained near Hartford, Conn., 

 by Dr. Wood. 



Pri(jr to this, as Mr. Audubon states, specimens had been procured near 

 riiiladelphia, and in the winters of 18.30 and 1832 several of these birds 

 were also shot on Long Lsland. 



Mr. Boardman mentions that they are occasional, in winter, near Calais ; 

 and Profes.sor Verrill, who did not meet witli it in Norway, Me., cites it as 

 accidental and rare in the State. 



It is not common in the Arctic regions. Specimens of the bird were 

 obtained on Andi^rson Eiver, in 1862, l)y Mr. MacFarlane, but he was not 

 able to find the nest. At Fort Yukon, July 4, Mr. Kennicott met with 

 the nest of this species. The nest, which contained but one egg, was about 

 eighteen feet from tlie ground, and was built on a side branch of a small 

 spruce tliat was growing at the outer edge of a clump of thick spruces, on 

 low ground. The nest was large, the base being made of small, dry spruce 

 twigs. Internally it was constructed of fine grass and moose-hair, and lined 

 thickly with large feathers. The female was .shot, as she rose from her nest, 

 by Mr. Kennicott's hunter, who had concealed himself near the .spot for tliat 

 purpose. !Mr. Kennicott had seen the nest and both parents near it before 

 it was taken, and had thoroughly satisfied himself as to its complete identi- 

 fication. 



