16 BRITISH BIRDS, WITH THEIR NESTS AND EGGS. 
consequence of the shortness of their tarsus, their shorter, wider, and notched beak, 
and the presence of small bristles which cover the nostrils” (Hist. British Birds, 
Wols Ta Pi ths 
Although the species of Ampelis have somewhat the flight of a Starling, they 
build open nests in the branches of trees; and, in their actions, somewhat resemble 
Tits. In all probability they are more nearly related to the Shrikes than to any 
other group of British birds; but they are not predaceous like that murderous 
family, being insectivorous and frugivorous, and they appear to have little idea of 
song. 
Of late years Waxwings have been somewhat largely kept as cage birds; but, 
in spite of their beauty, they are anything but pleasing pets, their lack of vocal 
merit, and their greediness, which results in a perpetual dirty condition of their 
cages, are great drawbacks. 
Family—AMPELIDA:. 
THE WAXWING. 
Ampelis garrulus, LINN. 
N abundant though irregular winter visitor to our islands, the Waxwing, says 
Seebohm, ‘“‘is almest a circumpolar bird, breeding in the pine regions of 
both hemispheres at or near the Arctic circle.” ‘ Throughout Central Europe it is 
a tolerably regular winter visitor. It occurs accidentally on Heligoland, and 
occasionally strays as far west as France, and as far south as Lombardy and Turkey, 
but has not yet been recorded from Spain or Greece. It winters in South Siberia, 
occasionally straying as far as Turkestan, Mongolia, North China, and the north 
island of Japan. In America its winter range extends as far south as Lakes 
Michigan and Erie; but it appears to be only an accidental straggler further east, 
and it is doubtful if it has ever occurred west of the Rocky Mountains.” 
