16 BRITISH BIRDS. WITH THEIR NESTS AND EGGS. 



consequence of the shortness of their tarsus, their shorter, wider, and notched beak, 

 and the presence of small bristles which cover the nostrils " (Hist. British Birds, 

 Vol. II., p. i). 



Although the species of Ampclis have somewhat the flight of a Starling, they 

 build open nests in the branches of trees ; and, in their actions, somewhat resemble 

 Tits, In all probability they are more nearly related to the Shrikes than to any 

 other group of British birds ; but they are not predaceous like that murderous 

 family, being insectivorous and frugivorous, and they appear to have little idea of 

 song. 



Of late years Waxwings have been somewhat largely kept as cage birds ; but, 

 in spite of their beauty, they are anything but pleasing pets, their lack of vocal 

 merit, and their greediness, which results in a perpetual dirty condition of their 

 cages, are great drawbacks. 



Fam ilyA MPELIDsE. 



THE WAXWING. 



Ampelis garrulus, LINN. 



AN abundant though irregular winter visitor to our islands, the Waxwing, says 

 Seebohm, " is almost a circumpolar bird, breeding in the pine regions of 

 both hemispheres at or near the Arctic circle." " Throughout Central Europe it is 

 a tolerably regular winter visitor. It occurs accidentally on Heligoland, and 

 occasionally strays as far west as France, and as far south as Lombard}' and Turkey, 

 but has not yet been recorded from Spain or Greece. It winters in South Siberia, 

 occasionally straying as far as Turkestan, Mongolia, North China, and the north 

 island of Japan. In America its winter range extends as far south as Lakes 

 Michigan and Erie ; but it appears to be only an accidental straggler further east, 

 and it is doubtful if it has ever occurred west of the Rocky Mountains." 



