BLACK-THKOATED WAXWING. 
167 
which its simple tze tze tze was uttered with the greatest vehemence, as if 
calling on its companions to hasten from the danger which it had recently 
escaped. Seeing the bird so very watchful, we macfe a small circuit with 
the view of diverting its attention, and at the same time of looking for the 
one by which it was accompanied, as I conceived it to be severely wounded, 
from the apparent difficulty of its flight. After a careful examination of the 
bush we at length observed it upon a low twig, and from its inattention to 
the calls of its mate, and the cowering position in which it sat, I concluded 
that it was unable to make another attempt to escape. Giving it an occa- 
sional glance, we turned towards the other, which still retained its former 
station on the top of the spruce, though its uneasiness seemed to increase at 
every step. While the man was cautiously working his way through the 
thick alder, in order to get within shot, I carefully examined the bird, which 
certainly presented a very interesting object. It stood almost as upright as 
the top on which it was perched, its height being much increased by its long 
and graceful crest being quite erect, while at the same time its wings were 
kept in a constant jerking motion, as if in readiness to remove at a moment’s 
notice. Independent of the mere beauty of the bird, there was something 
deeply interesting in the anxiety for the safety of its mate, so touchingly 
displayed by the force and rapidity of its simple but affectionate warning. 
The motion of the alders frightened the bird, and I had the mortification of 
seeing it rise in the air, as if about to commence a lofty and long-continued 
flight. Unwilling to give it up, I watched its progress with longing eyes, 
but at last, when about turning away in despair, it suddenly wheeled about, 
dashed by with great velocity, gently brushed its companion, and thus by 
dispelling its stupor induced it to make another effort to escape the danger 
which threatened its destruction. Though surprised and delighted with this 
singular display of fidelity and a*ffection, I felt not a little disappointed to 
see them both about to elude our grasp. The weakness of the wounded bird, 
however, soon induced it to seek concealment in another thicket, while the 
other, still faithful to a friend in distress, alighted as formerly on a spruce 
top, whence it could both see and warn it of approaching danger. As we 
again drew near, its anxiety seemed to be redoubled, while its notes were 
uttered with corresponding quickness and energy ; but before we could get 
within reach, it again launched into the air, and made off, calling on the 
other to follow with all possible speed. After flying for some time, and 
finding itself unattended, it again returned and alighted on a top near the 
one it had just left. The opportunity was too good to be lost, and notwith- 
standing our admiration of this additional instance of its fidelity, we shot it 
down, affection for its species being the occasion of its ruin. These, my dear 
sir, are all the observations I was enabled to make upon these interesting 
