BIRD-LIFE IN POMERANIA. 365 
measured flight, he approaches the nest, but his sharp eyes have 
already discovered us. With a mighty flapping of his wings he 
falls back, and soars higher and higher, until he reaches his mate, 
who has already left the tree, and together, in safe regions, they 
sail in wide circles, without any perceptible movement of their 
pinions. A pair of Ravens (Raben), which have their abode close 
by, try with vain presumption to vie with the flight of the Eagles, 
and to disturb, with their hoarse croaking, the tranquillity of the 
noble pair. But they will not condescend to notice such common 
fellows; and, if the Ravens dare to approach too near, a sharp 
peck from one of their strong beaks repels the cowards to a 
respectful distance. 
Strangers from still further north have also arrived, and, in 
spite of their Arctic home, in almost tropical splendour of 
plumage, Waxen Chatterers (Seidenschwanze) are flying about in 
troops. The hard winter of the north and the lack of food have 
sent them to feed on the berries of our forests. But they need 
not expect undisturbed hospitality in our midst; nets and traps 
are already set for their reception, not because (as in olden 
times) they are regarded as birds of misfortune,—foretellers of 
approaching war,—but because, like the Thrushes, they are an 
appreciated delicacy. Natural appearances, not uncommon in 
themselves, but which pass unobserved by many, frequently give 
rise, through misinterpretation, to legends and superstitions. Thus 
it was with the appearance of the Waxen Chatterers. These 
brilliant birds, from unknown lands, were received as messengers 
of evil and so-called birds of war, plague, or misfortune ; while 
it was said by others that they only appeared every seven years. 
In reality they visit us annually in larger or smaller flocks, 
making, with their variegated plumage, a pretty feature in a 
winter landscape. Until the year 1856 even ornithologists were 
ignorant of their birth-place and mode of breeding. To throw 
light on the subject several excursions were made to Lapland, 
Finland, and North Russia; whole winters were passed there in 
the search. The birds were kept in aviaries, in the hope that 
they would breed. Fifty roubles were offered by the ornithologists 
of the capital of Finland for a single nest. But all in vain, till 
at length an Englishman, John Wolley, who had spared neither 
expense nor trouble in-the matter, after a long search at length 
discovered a breeding-place of this bird, Lapland; and, as is 
