ORDER PASSERES. 509 



The jaseurs of Europe are erratic, and authors are not 

 agreed as to the native country of the species. It has been 

 supposed that it inhabited Bohemia, and it has received a 

 name from thence ; but it only takes that country in its pas- 

 sage, as it does many others. It is ranged among our birds, 

 though but rarely seen here. 



It is occasionally observed in France, but only in the depth 

 of the severest winters. These birds, according to Latham, 

 appear in great numbers in the neighbourhood of Edinburgh 

 in winter, and disappear in spring. They frequent Italy, but 

 rarely at present, though formerly they used to arrive there in 

 considerable flocks. They pass in great numbers through the 

 various countries of Germany, but do not remain there during 

 the summer. It is not exactly known in what country they 

 nestle. Some say in the neighbourhood of St. Petersburgh, 

 Linnaeus assumes that they breed in countries to the north of 

 Sweden ; but we have no details whatever on this subject. 

 The jaseurs (so we must call them, as the word chatterer is 

 applied to all the cotingas) do not always follow the same 

 route in their migrations, nor do they visit the same countries 

 every year. They are generally seen in the same places 

 but once every three or four years, and sometimes there are 

 intervals of even six and nine years between their visits. This 

 species is spread even through Siberia and other northern 

 climates of Asia, and is very numerous in those regions. Ber- 

 ries, grapes, and other fruits constitute their food. This bird, 

 however, is not nice, and is very much prone to gormandize. 

 It will eat all kinds of insects ; but will never touch grain, 

 unless it is pounded. It soon grows accustomed to the cage, 

 and does not appear to regret its liberty for the first few months; 

 but when the fine weather approaches, it grows uneasy, and, 

 if it cannot escape, soon dies of ennui and disgust. 



Except during hatching time, the jaseurs of Europe love 

 society, and unite in great flocks during the winter and part 

 of the spring. Those seen alone at these periods, are birds 



