BOHEMIAN WAX-WING. 
11 
Asia and eastern Europe their migrations are tolerably regular, 
very numerous flocks generally pass through Scania in November, 
and are again seen on their return in the spring. But they appear 
only at very remote and irregular periods, and merely as occa¬ 
sional and rare visitants in western, southern, or even central 
and northern Europe, and then only in the coldest months of the 
most severe winters. Notwithstanding that they at times invade 
peculiar districts in vast numbers, so remarkable is the appearance 
of these winged strangers then considered, that we find it placed 
upon record. However extraordinary it may seem to those 
who live in this enlightened age and country, that the unusual 
appearance of <e Cedar-birds of a large kind” should strike terror 
into the souls of men, such notwithstanding was the effect in more 
ignorant times. They have been looked upon as the precursors 
of war, pestilence, and other public calamities. One of their 
irruptions was experienced in Italy in 1571, when flocks of 
hundreds were seen flying about in the north of that country in 
the month of December, and were easily caught. A similar visit 
had taken place in 1530 in February, marking the epoch when 
Charles V. caused himself to be crowned at Bologna. Aldrovandi, 
from whom we learn the above particulars, also informs us that 
large flocks of them appeared in 1551, when it was remarked 
that though they spread in numbers through the Modenese, the 
Plaisantine, and other parts of Italy, they carefully avoided 
entering the Ferrarese, as if to escape the dreadful earthquake 
that was felt soon after, causing the very birds to turn their flight. 
In 1552, Gesner informs us, they appeared along the Rhine near 
Mentz in Germany in such numbers as to obscure the sun. They 
have however of late years, in Italy and Germany, and in France 
especially at all times, been extremely rare, being seen only in 
small companies or singly, appearing as if they had strayed 
from their way. In England, the Bohemian Wax-wing has 
