TUli BUTCllEU UIllDS. 545 



broncliials are connected finnly tui^t'tlier ]>\ a thick membrane that adheres by a close attachment to the outer 

 walls of the oesophagus. See Fig. 7( ), t, trachea ; b, broncho tracheal muscles ; o, oesophagus ; m, m, 

 bronchial tubes with the connecting membrane between, whi le the dark lines above it represent the division 

 where the tj-mpaniforms should be. 



A careful examination shows that the os transversale, a thin bone tliat extends across the trachea 

 between the openings of the bronchials, is present, and that it usually supports a semiluna membrane, but I 

 have found several individuals of both sexes in which this is absent, and in no case is it well developed. The 

 tympaniforms being absent, we must then look to this partly- developed membrane, for all the sounds that this 

 species is capable of uttering, and as it is absent in some specimens, we must conclude that if the Bohemian 

 Waxwing sings at all, it sings as individuals, not as a species. 



Here then, is a bird in which the power of song is being developed or is being lost, for analogy teaches 

 us that organs having functions so important do Tiot long remain in a half developed condition. In order to 

 ■throw some light upon this point, we naturally turn to the Cedar Waxwing, A. cedrorum, and examine its 

 trachea. Here we find that the sterno-trachealis is exactly as variable as in the Bohemian. In many cases 

 we find a decided sterno trachealis (See Fig. 71), although it is reduced to a mere white thread, but it has 

 a sternal attachment. In an adult female taken in J^ewtonville, September 14th, 188!J, tlfe sterno trachealis 

 was attached to the neck as in some specimens of A. garrulus. A young male taken at the same date shows 

 a decided sternal attachment for the sterno trachealis, while in one case, that of a young male, also taken the 

 same day, there are two pairs of thin muscles, both arising together on the trachea, but one pair goes to the 

 muscles of the neck and the other to the costal process of the sterbum. 



DIMENSIONS. 



Extreme dimensions of twenty specimens taken at Mexico, N. Y., Feb. 23d, 1S80. Length, 7.75 to 

 S.50 ; stretch, Ki.l.j to 14.2.j ; wing, iM to 4 75 ; tail, 2..jO to 2.S5 ; bill, .40 to .50 ; tarsus, .GO to .75. 



DESCRIPTION OF NESTS AND EGGS. 



Nests, jtlaced in trees, composed of rootlets, moss, grass, and lined with feathers. Egos, four to six in 

 number, oval in form, yellowish gray in color, spotted and blotched with yellowish brown, dark purple and 

 black, with lighter shading around the spots, as seen in eggs of the Cedar Bird. Dimensions, .60 by .80 to 

 .70 by .88. 



HABITS. 

 The beiiutiful Boheinian Wa.\wiiig is ii summer inhabitant of the northern portions 

 of the northern hemisphere, migrating soutliward in winter ahjng the Rocky Mountains 

 to Colorado; eastward irreguhirly as far as Miimesota, more rarely to New York and 

 jnore rareh' still to Massachusett.s. 



FA^IILY y. LANIDAE. THE SHRIKES. 



Bill, short, stout ; upper mandible strongly curved and deeply notched. Sternum, almost precisely 

 similar in form to that of the Vireonidac. Wings, proportionately short and rounded. Tail, long and also 

 rounded. 



Although the sternum of this fomily closely resembles that of the succeeding, showing their affinity, yet 

 all of our species may readily be distinguished from tlie Vireonidae by the more strongly curved and deeply 

 notched bill. The wings are proportionately shorter and the tail longer. 



GENUS I. LANIUS. THE BUTCHER BIRDS. 

 Gen. Cu. Bluish or brownish-ash above ; beneath, white, banded with black, in some stages. Wings 

 and tail marked with black and white. Other characters as ^iven above. 



