The Bohemian Waxwing in Onondaga County, N. Y. — During the 
hard snow storm of Feb. to, 1899, a flock of about 50 Cedar Waxwings 
were seen in a mountain ash tree, feeding on the berries. The tree is on 
one of the principal residence streets of Syracuse, and is thickly populated, 
The observer, being an amateur collector, and living but a few houses 
from the place, returned for his gun and shot into the flock, securing 
several Cedar Waxwings, and one, which was seen to drop some distance 
from the tree, proved to be a Bohemian Waxwing (Amfielis garrulus ). 
This is the first specimen recorded from Onondaga County. It seems 
strange that this bird should be associated with its brother species. 
I would like to know if it has been taken or recorded farther south than 
Syracuse, and whether these two species are in the habit of flocking 
together ? — A. W. Perrior, Syracuse , N. V 
Auk, XVII, Jan., 1900, p.&S- 
The Bohemian Waxwing ( Bombycilla garrula) at Ithaca, N. Y. — 
While walking over the campus of Cornell University at noon on November 
28, 1914, we observed a flock of about a dozen Cedar Waxwings in a group 
of trees that included a berry-laden mountain ash ( Pyrus americana). An 
hour later we had stopped to watch the birds again, and were discussing 
the points of difference between the notes of our two species of Waxwings. 
At that moment the characteristic notes of Bombycilla garrula most oppor- 
tunely caught our attention, and their author was presently distinguished 
among the rest of the Waxwings by means of its larger size and its white 
wing markings. In order that others might share in the pleasure of seeing 
such an unusual visitor, we summoned by ’phone Messrs. A. A. Allen, L. A. 
Fuertes, and A. H. Wright, and all were enabled to make observations on 
the bird under very favorable conditions. 
Its actions accorded with the proverbial gentleness and amicability of 
the Waxwings. It allowed a Cedar Waxwing to perch beside it and feed 
upon the same cluster of mountain-ash berries; and twice a berry seemed 
to be passed from one to the other. It was somewhat restless, and once 
it circled swiftly around a nearby house, swerving from side to side in an 
erratic course suggesting that of a Teal. 
The following prominent characters served to distinguish the Bohemian 
Waxwing from the other species in the field: its larger size; the white 
markings in the wing, conspicuous whether the bird is flying or at rest; 
the larger patch of black on its chin; its generally grayer coloration; and 
its chestnut-rufous under tail coverts. 
Furthermore, its notes are very diagnostic. Though similar in general 
form to the “ beady notes ” of B. cedrorum, the}' are less shrill, are more 
leisurely uttered, and have a more noticeable rolling sound. They are also 
more distinct, there being a comparatively greater interval between each 
syllable in the series. The call has been represented by Seebohm as 
cir-ir-ir-ir-re (quoted in Sharpe’s ‘ Hand-book to the Birds of Great Britain,’ 
Vol. I, p. 177) and by Cameron as zir-r-r-r (‘ The Auk,’ Vol. XXV, 1908, 
p. 47), but neither rendering seems to express exactly the decidedly sibi- 
lant quality of each syllable. 
The bird was collected by Dr. Allen, and sketched in the flesh by Mr. 
Fuertes. It proved to be an adult male in full plumage. The skin has 
been placed in the collection of the Cornell University Museum. This is 
the first specimen recorded from the Cayuga Lake Basin. 
On the following morning another Bohemian Waxwing was reported in 
the same place by Mr. H. H. Knight. — Ludlow Griscom and Francis 
Harper, Ithaca, N. Y. . * * t a . 1 _ 
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