174 CHATTERER. 



The female is said to want the red appendages at the end of the 

 second quills,* as well as the yellow marks on the wings, f 



This, although ranked among the British birds, is only seen with 

 us at uncertain times ; supposed to breed in various parts of Germany, 

 and in particular Bohemia, whence its usual name ; but probably its 

 summer residence may be more northward; and although it is common 

 in Germany every year, it is said to be most so once in seven. 



Is not un frequently met with in France, and Italy, but in 

 England is a very uncertain visitant, and generally appears towards 

 the northern parts, being seen annually in the neighbourhood of 

 Edinburgh in winter, disappearing in spring ; is in plenty both at 

 St. Petersburgh, and Moscow in the winter, but observed to come 

 from parts farther north, and departs again to the Arctic Circle in 

 spring, nor is it ever known to breed in Russia; it is scarce in 

 Siberia, and has not been found beyond the Lena : is mentioned as 

 a Tartarian bird by Frisch, who says, it breeds there among the 

 rocks. — I was informed by the late Mr. Tunstall, that it has been 

 killed in Northumberland, and Yorkshire frequently. 



In the winter of 1787, many flocks were seen all over the coasts 

 of the latter ; and, towards the spring, one of between twenty and 

 thirty, within two miles of his seat at Wycliffe, independent of 

 small flocks of four or five. Many were taken alive, and appeared 

 extremely tame, but none would live any time in cages ; they 

 seemed very fond of dog berries, eating them out of the hand, 

 almost as soon as taken. In the eastern part of this kingdom I 

 have met with it, two or three times killed, near London, and once 

 near to Sandwich, in Kent, having received a specimen from my 

 friend, the late Mr. Boys. In the western part, one shot at Winches- 

 ter, in February, 1804, also one in Devonshire, at Saltram, the seat of 



* This is probable, since it is so in the American Species ; the Males also, which 

 possess them, vary much, in some only five in number; and I have observed eight on one 

 wing-, and seven only on the other, and even as few as three. 



t This is not certain, the American one has no yellow on the wings in either sex: I 

 have never seen one of these without. 



