BOHEMIAN WAX-WING. 
13 
greedy of grapes, and also, though in a less degree, of juniper 
and laurel-berries, apples, currants, figs, and other fruits. They 
drink often, dipping in their bill repeatedly. Besides their social 
disposition, and general love of their species, these birds appear 
susceptible of individual attachment, as if they felt a particular 
sentiment of benevolence, even independent of reciprocal sexual 
attraction. Not only do the male and female caress and feed each 
other, but the same proofs of mutual kindness have been observed 
between individuals of the same sex. This amiable disposition, 
so agreeable for others, often becomes a serious disadvantage to 
its possessor. It always supposes more sensibility than energy, 
more confidence than penetration, more simplicity than prudence, 
and precipitates these as well as nobler victims, into the snares 
prepared for them by more artful and selfish beings. Hence 
they are stigmatized as stupid, and as they keep generally close 
together, many are easily killed at once by a single discharge of 
a gun. They always alight on trees, hopping awkwardly on the 
ground. Their flight is very rapid: when taking wing, they utter 
a note resemblihg the syllables zi, zi, ri, but are generally silent, 
notwithstanding the name that has been given them. They are 
however said to have a sweet and agreeable song in the time of 
breeding, though at others it is a mere whistle. The place of 
breeding, as we have intimated, is not known with any certainty, 
though they are said to build in high northern latitudes, preferring 
mountainous districts, and laying in the clefts of rocks, which 
however, judging from analogy, we cannot believe. 
What can be the cause of their leaving their unknown abodes, 
of their wide migrations, and extraordinary irruptions, it is very 
difficult to determine. That they are not compelled to them by 
cold is well proved. Are they to be ascribed to necessity from 
excessive multiplication, as is the case with the small quadrupeds 
called Lemmings, and even with man himself in a savage state. 
VOL. III.—n 
