RARER BIRDS OF AMES REGION 
219 
Bohemian Waxwing 
( Bombycilla garrula) 
Records of the occurrence of this waxwing in numbers at 
Ames during the months of January and February, 1920, were 
sent to Bird Lore and were published in the March-April num- 
ber (page 99). These birds were first observed January 20, 
feeding in a thorn apple tree a few rods from my home and just 
outside the western city limits. I counted thirty-seven individuals 
in the flock this day. The next day the entire flock moved to a 
wild crab-apple tree less than a block away where they continued 
to feed for several days, being reported every day from January 
28 to February 4. This crab-apple tree was loaded with frozen 
fruit which when eaten tasted quite tart and was observed to 
be very mealy. 
At times practically the whole flock of waxwings would be in 
the crab-apple tree and feeding; at other times only a part of the 
flock would be feeding, while the remainder perched on nearby 
trees. In their feeding operations the birds worked from the top 
of the tree downward, and by January 24, all of the crab-apples on 
the upper part of the tree were gone, having been either eaten 
or detached and allowed to drop to the ground. As soon as the 
supply of the fruits on the tree became greatly reduced the birds 
began to feed on the fallen ones. Eventually the tree was 
stripped, and not only this but the hungry birds had picked up 
all the exposed fruits on the snow. 
Some of the waxwings were unusually and almost unbelievably 
tame. They could be approached and almost touched by the hand 
before flying. This lack of fear of man has been noted by 
several observers. Could it not be explained by the fact that the 
birds are reared in the far north, in regions where man is almost 
if not entirely unknown, hence they have not learned to fear him? 
And further, their southern sojourn, being very unusual and of 
short duration has not exposed them sufficiently to man’s depre- 
dations to teach them wariness. A third factor, that of extreme 
hunger, also may have been a contributing one ; fear under such 
conditions being counteracted by the craving of food. 
Since leaving Ames the waxwings have been reported by others. 
Professor Guthrie reported one on January 31, 1922. He stated 
that it was seen for two or three days in the same vicinity and was 
feeding on rose hips. On February 24, 1922, a flock of twenty to 
twenty-five were observed, and the next day Professor Cunning- 
