536 



REPTILES AND BIRDS. 



found in Africa, the Indian archipelago, and occasionally southern 

 Europe. 



The Chatterers (Amftelidce) are sociable birds, living together in 

 flocks the whole of the year, except during the breeding season. 

 They feed on buds, berries, and insects ; they even catch flies on the 

 wing. They are, nevertheless, extremely indolent, and do not move 

 about more than is necessary to satisfy the requirements of appetite. 

 The greater part of their time they remain hid in the recesses of 



Fig. 246. — Bohemian Waxwing. 



woods, and are rarely seen ; they settle rarely on the ground, for 

 their gait is awkward and constrained. Not endowed, properly 

 speaking, with any powers of song, their only utterance is a feeble 

 twittering, which in some species is very prolonged. The Bohemian 

 Waxwing is noisy at all seasons ; and this is probably the origin of 

 the name Chatterer, which is given to the whole genus. They are 

 tamed with great facility, and, as they are adorned with brilliant 

 plumage, they are often reared in cages. These birds are found in 

 Europe and North America. 



The European species (Ampdis gamihis, Fig. 246) breeds in 

 northern countries, and migrates to Germany at the approach of 



