CHATTERERS. 109 



plumage generally, and particularly of that of the 

 tail, they are sometimes called Silk-tails. 



FEATHER OF CHATTERER. 



We have alluded to the very wide geographical 

 range of the only species known in Europe, which, 

 from its greater frequency and abundance in the 

 south-east of Germany, is commonly known as the 

 Bohemian Chatterer, or Silk-tail (Ampelis gar- 

 rulus, LINN.). Its occurrence, however, in most 

 of the countries where it has been recognized, is 

 desultory, irregular, and not determined by any 

 known laws. At uncertain intervals they appear 

 in particular districts in immense flocks, and so 

 remarkable have such visitations appeared, that 

 they have been carefully recorded as events of 

 history, and supposed to be in some way ominous 

 of great public calamities. Thus in 1530, 1551, 

 and 1571, vast numbers appeared in northern 

 Italy, and in 1552, along the Rhine, near Mentz, 

 they flew in clouds so dense, as to darken the sun. 

 Of late years, however, in Italy, and Germany, and 

 especially in France, they have been rarely observed, 

 and then only in small flocks that seemed to have 

 strayed from the great body. In 1807 and 1814, 

 they were numerous in western Europe. 



In the British islands the Bohemian Chatterer 

 can be considered only as a rare and straggling 



