Birds. 8881 
Saturday and Sunday, affording by its lengthened stay and familiar habits ample 
opportunities for observation. It was in perfect plumage, and afforded much pleasure 
to those who saw it during its stay. So fearless was it that, while selecting the 
cluster on which to operate, and picking off the berries, it appeared perfectly uncon- 
cerned at an approach to within a few feet of the tree; where also, as long as it 
remained, two or three men were employed in dressing slates for roofing purposes. 
Judging from what I saw of this specimen, I should say the waxwing is rather an 
indolent bird. During these three days it seldom left its perch, and then only, so far 
as could be observed, to visit the rowan tree for food. When not thus engaged it was 
continually preening and arranging its rich silky plumage; but it is possible that the 
apparent indolence of the bird in this instance was induced by the fatigue it had 
endured in its long journey hence from some Norwegian forest. Whatever may be the 
character of the bird while with its fellows, this specimen certainly belied its appella- 
tion of “ chatterer,” as the only sound it was heard to emit was a low whistle, and even 
this but seldom. On its first appearance, the sparrows—as is usual with these quarrel- 
some gentry when the presence of a stranger among them is detected —“ mobbed ” it, 
and regularly followed it in its flight from one tree to another; but the waxwing 
showing on all occasions a bold front to the enemy, they soon learned to keep at a 
respectful distance, and ceased to persecute it. On one occasion a sparrow, rather 
perter than its fellows, advanced and made some threatening demonstration, but the 
waxwing darted so suddenly upon him, and used his bill to such excellent purpose 
that his would-be tormentor showed no disposition to renew the combat. On the 
morning of the 16th the waxwing disappeared, and has not since returned.— 
H. Osborne, jun.; Wick, November 21, 1863.—‘ Field, 
Waxwing in Aberdeenshire——Last week I had two very fine male specimens of the 
waxwing sent me from Aberdeenshire for preservation.—W. M‘Leay; Inverness, 
December 7, 1863. 
The Bohemian Waxwing on the West Coast of Argylishire.—A very fine specimen 
of the above species in full plumage was given to me on the 25th ult. It was found 
lying dead on the road between East Tarbert and West Tarbert, by Mr. Wotherspoon, 
of Gigha. It was quite fresh when I received it, so that it had lain a very short time. 
There was no wound upon it. In the ‘ Zoologist’ of 1861 Mr. Thomas Edward, of 
Banff, reports a specimen having been shot at that time, and mentions that one was 
procured in the same locality eleven years before, which came down a chimney. Ido 
not know of the occurrence of other specimens in Scotland.— Thomas Chapman; Glas- 
gow, December 5, 1863. 
Notes on the Occurrence, Capture and Dissection of the Waxwing at Beverley.— 
It is just about twelve or fifteen years since this exquisite and rare bird visited the 
neighbourhood of Beverley. Several were shot during the winter of their last occur- 
rence, one of which, a young female, I obtained; and I have seen others that had 
been shot about the same time. On the 4th of November, 1863, the following curious 
circumstance was detailed to me by a fellow townsman, whose word I can rely upon, | 
viz., Mr. Timothy Lundie, of Beverley, an old and respected inhabitant. He states 
that on going to his field on the morning of the 4th inst., he heard a most unusual 
noise, which arrested his attention, but the source of which he failed to detect in the 
first instance. The noise continuing, Lundie called the attention of Mr. Coxworth, of 
Woodmansey (who was passing at the time), to it, and at first they both attributed it 
to an unusual disturbance of the telegraph wires, which pass close to his field. 
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