00 WAXWIXG. 



a few came under my inspection; and several \vere observed 

 during the severe storm in the winter of 1823. In the 

 winter of 1827, Waxwings again visited our island.' So thev 

 also did in large numbers in most parts of the country, though 

 chiefly in the eastern counties or those bordering ori them, 

 in the months of January and February, in. the year 1850, 

 the weather being very severe for some time; and not a few 

 have been met with since. I have hardly a doubt but that 

 some have visited us every year. 



In Yorkshire, some have occurred in most winters, especially" 

 in hard frosts, but most in the year just named. One was 

 caught alive in a bush near Bridlington Quay. I am in- 

 formed by Mr. Robert Dunn, of Helister, near Weesdale, in 

 the Shetland Islands, that one was taken at Northmaven, in 

 the north part of Shetland, on the 1st. of April, 1851; and 

 about the same time another at Lerwick; and a third seen 

 at a place called Aithsting, near Helister. In Ireland, divers 

 specimens have at various times occurred. In Scotland they 

 are also said to appear annually. 



It is migratory in its habits, leaving in the latter part of 

 November, the polar countries for the more genial climes of 

 more southern districts, from which latter it returns to the 

 former in March or April, according to the season. 



Birds of this species seem to associate in flocks, sometimes 

 of two or three hundred individuals. They are easily tamed, 

 and are gentle and quiet. 



Their Sight strongly resembles that of the Starling. 'They 

 roost among the thickest branches of trees and bushes; and 

 in windy weather seek shelter very near the ground, or hide 

 in the crevices of rocks in rocky countries.' 



The Waxwing feeds on berries, such as those of the common 

 thorn, the mountain ash, the juniper, the arbutus, and the 

 whortle-berry. 



The note is a shrill whistle. 



These birds are believed to breed within the limits of the 

 Arctic circle in holes among rocks, or in deep forests. 



Male; length, about eight inches and a half; bill, black, 

 inclining to yellowish white or horn-colour at the base: the 

 upper part is much notched about one fourth from the tip, 

 and the under one has a corresponding groove on its edge, 

 as in the Shrikes. Iris, purplish red; a black streak runs to 

 and beyond it: bristly black feathers cover the nostrils. A 

 pendent crest of silky feathers, nearly an inch and a half in 



