98 
RURAL HOURS 
in general appearance and character, one coming from the ex- 
treme north, while the other is found within the tropics. Both, 
however, meet on common ground in the temperate regions of 
our o^vn country. The larger sort — the Bohemian wax-wing — is 
well known in Europe, though so irregular in its flights, that in 
former times its Ausits were looked upon by superstitious people 
as the forerunner of some public calamity. Until lately, this 
bird Avas supposed to be unknoAvn on the Western continent ; but 
closer observation has shown that it is found heie, within our OAvn 
State, Avhere it is said to be increasing. It bears a strong gen- 
eral resemblance to the cedar-bird, though decidedly larger, and 
differently marked in some points. It is supposed to breed very 
far north in arctic countries. Both birds are crested, and both 
liave a singular appendage to their wings, little red, wax-like, tips 
at the extremity of their secondary wing-feathers. These vary in 
number, and are not found on all indhiduals, but they are quite 
peculiar to themselves. The habits of the tAvo varieties are, in 
many respects, similar; they are both berry-eaters, A'ery gregari- 
ous in their habits, and particularly affectionate in their disposi- 
tions toward one another ; they crowd as near together as pos- 
sible, half a dozen often sitting side by side on the same branch, 
caressing one another, and even feeding one another out of pure 
friendliness. They have been called chatterers in the Old World, 
but in fact they are very silent birds, though fussy and active, 
which perhaps made people fancy they were chatty creatures also. 
The Bohemian wax-wing is rather rare, even in Europe ; and 
yet it is believed that a small flock were in our OAvn neighborhood 
this spring. On two different occasions we remarked Avhat seemed 
very large cedar-birds without the white line about the eye, and 
