101 
of the Breeding of the Waxwing. 
detailed account of Herr Keitel’s success appeared some months 
after in the f Naumannia*/ from the pen of its editor, and the 
specimens of the eggs figured in that magazine were obtained 
through him. It is unnecessary for me to go into details re¬ 
specting the magnificent series of eggs which Mr. Wolley was 
thus enabled to add to his cabinet. The nests were built mostly 
in Spruce and Scotch-fir trees (Pinus abies and P. sylvestris )— 
chiefly, I think, the former. The usual complement of eggs is 
certainly five ; but six not uncommonly, and seven and four occa¬ 
sionally, were found. The second week of June seems to be the 
general time for the birds to have eggs; but there are some 
which must have been laid in the last days of May, and others 
(perhaps second broods) a month laterf. Of the different varieties 
into which the egg runs, the accompanying illustration (PL IV.), 
in which Mr. Hewitson’s able pencil has represented the half-dozen 
examples I before mentioned as selected by Mr. Wolley, will give 
a far better idea than anything I can say. I may, however, state 
that those depicted in figures 1 and 4 are considerably above the 
average size, and are characterized by a bolder style of blotching 
than usual. Fig. 2 is perhaps the most typical in appearance, 
and, except in size, almost exactly resembles an ordinary Cedar- 
bird’s. Fig. 3 displays a somewhat rare variety, in which linear 
markings, such as are seen in the eggs of many of the Emberizince 
and Icterimje , more or less prevail. Fig. 5 represents a not unusual 
form with a dull-olive ground-colour, resembling in this respect 
curiously enough the egg of an Australian bird of the same 
family, Pachycephalapectoralis%, of which there is a specimen now 
in Mr. 0. Salvin’s collection. The example drawn in fig. 6 stands, 
to the best of my belief, for the variety to which Mr. Wolley in 
his paper before mentioned applied the term “ salmon-colour,” 
which appellation has been demurred to by other naturalists. 
The matter I think is explained by the fact, which I know from 
my own intimacy with him, that Mr. Wolley’s sight did not fully 
* ‘Naumannia/ 1858, p. 498. pi. 1. figs. 5-8. 
t The American species would seem sometimes to breed much later in 
the season. Dr. Brewer told me at Boston, August 31st, 1857, that on the 
preceding day he had seen a Cedar-bird’s nest, with eggs still unhatched. 
I Gould, Birds of Australia, ii. pi. 67. 
