THE BOHEMIAN WAX-WING. 311 



The Asur-Mes, or Azure-Titmouse (P. cyaneus, Pall.), is 

 included in the northern fauna ; but it has only been killed 

 in one or two instances, and little, in consequence, is known 

 of its habits and disposition. Siberia would appear to be the 

 proper home of this bird. It is also very rare in Denmark. 



The Bearded Titmouse (P. Bjarmicus, Linn.), though 

 unknown in Scandinavia, has found a place in the fauna 

 of Denmark, in which country, however, it is described as 

 being very scarce. 



The Bohemian Wax- Wing (Siden-Svans, or Silken-Tail, 

 Sw. ; Bombycilla garrula, Bonap.) was only seen with us 

 during certain winters, but then often in large numbers. 

 During the summer months these birds confine themselves 

 to the more northern parts of Scandinavia, more especially 

 to the pine forests of Lapland, where M. von Wright tells us 

 they are numerous. Migrates occasionally. 



Up to a certain period, most birds become more beautiftu 

 as they advance in years. Such is the case with the wax- 

 wing ; for after a time red, horny, or parchment- like appen- 

 dages the existence of which seems to have been overlooked 

 by English naturalists make their appearance at the extre- 

 mity of the yellow at the end of the tail-feathers ; and these 

 increase annually in size and number. It is only when 

 these red excrescences are fully developed, that the wax-wing 

 can lay claim to its present pretensions that of being the 

 most beautiful of all Scandinavian birds. 



The food of this bird in the summer consists of insects, 

 worms, and seeds ; but in the winter, when it visited us, it 

 fed on all kinds of berries, such as those of the mountain-ash, 

 the Sorbus Scandica (Fries), the hawthorn, the juniper, &c. 



As M. von Wright states that he himself, on one occasion, 





