BLACK-THROATED WAXWING. 1G7 



which its simple tze tze tze was uttered with the greatest vehemence, as if 

 calling on its companions to hasten from the clanger which it had recently 

 escaped. Seeing the bird so very watchful, we made a small circuit with 

 the view of diverting its attention, and at the same time of looking for the 

 one by which it was accompanied, as I conceived it to be severely wounded, 

 from the apparent difficulty of its flight. After a careful examination of the 

 bush we at length observed it upon a low twig, and from its inattention to 

 the calls of its mate, and the cowering position in which it sat, I concluded 

 that it was unable to make another attempt to escape. Giving it an occa- 

 sional glance, we turned towards the other, which still retained its former 

 station on the top of the spruce, though its uneasiness seemed to increase at 

 every step. While the man was cautiously working his way through the 

 thick alder, in order to get within shot, I carefully examined the bird, which 

 certainly presented a very interesting object. It stood almost as upright as 

 the top on which it was perched, its height being much increased by its long 

 and graceful crest being quite erect, while at the same time its wings were 

 kept in a constant jerking motion, as if in readiness to remove at a moment's 

 notice. Independent of the mere beauty of the bird, there was something 

 deeply interesting in the anxiety for the safety of its mate, so touchingly 

 displayed by the force and rapidity of its simple but affectionate warning. 

 The motion of the alders frightened the bird, and I had the mortification of 

 seeing it rise in the air, as if about to commence a lofty and long-continued 

 flight. Unwilling to give it up, I watched its progress with longing eyes, 

 but at last, when about turning away in despair, it suddenly wheeled about, 

 dashed by with great velocity, gently brushed its companion, and thus by 

 dispelling its stupor induced it to make another effort to escape the danger 

 which threatened its destruction. Though surprised and delighted with this 

 singular display of fidelity and affection, I felt not a little disappointed to see 

 them both about to elude our grasp. The weakness of the wounded bird, 

 however, soon induced it to seek concealment in another thicket, while the 

 other, still faithful to a friend in distress, alighted as formerly on a spruce 

 top, whence it could both see and warn it of approaching danger. As we 

 again drew near, its anxiety seemed to be redoubled, while its notes were 

 uttered with corresponding quickness and energy; but before we could get 

 within reach, it again launched into the air, and made off, calling on the 

 other to follow with all possible speed. After flying for some time, and 

 finding itself unattended, it again returned and alighted on a top near the 

 one it had just left. The opportunity was too good to be lost, and notwith- 

 standing our admiration of this additional instance of its fidelity, we shot it 

 down, affection for its species being the occasion of its ruin. These, my dear 

 sir, are all the observations I was enabled to make upon these interesting 



