752 The Zoologist — May, 18G7. 



whose experience is more extended than ray own. Although no one 

 for a moment will doubt the facts recorded by Mr. Stevenson from 

 personal observation, still it is peculiarly gratifying to meet with 

 collateral and independent evidence. 



Goldencrested Wren. — "As I was walking to Hemsby, about 7.30, 

 when it was just daylight, about half a mile out of Yarmouth, on the 

 Caister road, my attention was attracted to a small bush overhanging 

 the marsh dyke which borders the pathway, by the continuous twittering 

 of a small bird. On looking closely I found the bush, small as it was, 

 literally covered with goldencrested wrens. There was hardly an inch 

 of twig that had not a bird on it, and even from my rough attempt at 

 calculation at the lime, I feel sure there were at least two or three 

 hundred. Most of them were either females or young birds, having a 

 lemon-coloured crest ; they were perfectly tame, and although I sat 

 down on the other side of the ditch, within six feet, and watched them 

 for some time, they did not attempt to fly away, but one or more would 

 occasionally rise off its perch, and hover like a butterfly, and settle 

 again in some other position. T went the next morning to look for 

 them, but they were all gone. The wind had been easterly, with much 

 fog."— p. 136. 



In this country we know little or nothing of the waxwing in con- 

 finement, and are always glad to learn any particulars of so rare a 

 captive. Mr. Stevenson was fortunate in purchasing a pair from Mr. 

 Jamrach, the animal dealer in Ratcliff Highway. The female died 

 apparently in moult, but the male, with great attention to cleanliness 

 and diet, assumed his perfect plumage in January, and was as hand- 

 some as any wild specimen Mr. Stevenson has ever seen. As so little 

 is known of the waxwing as a cage bird, it cannot be otherwise than 

 acceptable to know the treatment which proved so successful, as well 

 as the habits of a bird previously unknown as a captive. 



Waxwing. — " I found bread and egg, with a little hemp seed, the 

 best diet, with berries such as privet and ivy occasionally; and latterly 

 I obtained some of the preserved cranberries, which at that lime were 

 much sold by the grocers. They also ate a good deal of old dried 

 mortar, and swallowed a quantity of small stones, having, as I after- 

 wards found, a true and very firm gizzard. Their note is a clear 

 silvery whistle, more subdued in tone than might have been imagined 

 from a bird of its size, and this when uttered of an evening, with 



