Ampelis garrula.
19221
Hab. Northern parts of Europe, America, and Asia. In America not hitherto found in the Pacific Province. In winter extending along the Rocky Mountains and the Plains as far south as Fort Massachusetts and Fort Riley; regular visitor to shores of Lake Michigan and Lake Erie. East of this rarely seen along the United States border. Fort Mohave (???) (Cooper).
The specimen seen by Dr. Cooper, at Fort Mohave, if really of this species, fixes the most western locality on record.
For many years authentic eggs of the Bohemian Chatterer were greatly sought after, but it was not until 1856 that any were brought to the notice of the scientific world, when the late Mr. H. Wolley discovered them in Lapland. Early duplicates from his collection were sold at five guineas each, and although a good many have since been obtained, they are yet considered as great prizes. A nest, with its eggs, of those collected by Mr. Wolley, has been presented to the Smithsonian Institution by Mr. Alfred Newton. The only instances on record of their discovery in America are of a nest and one egg by Mr. Kennicott, on the Yukon, in 1861, and a nest and single egg
on the Anderson River, by Mr. MacFarlane, both of which, with the female parents, are in the possession of the Institution. Although there is frequently considerable difference between individuals, there appears to be no difference between those from the two continents.
Habits. The Waxwing is, in many respects, one of the most interesting and remarkable of the birds of North America. The roving character of its life, the mystery, still only imperfectly solved, of its habits and residence during its breeding-season, and its somewhat cosmopolitan residence in Europe, Asia, and America, impart to it an interest that attaches to but few other species. Though not common in any portions of the United States, and only appearing at all during midwinter, yet in the more northern States, in which it is occasionally found, it moves in such large flocks, and is so noticeable and conspicuous a bird, that it never fails to make a lasting impression, and hardly seems to us so very rare as it undoubtedly is.
In a single instance, in midwinter, somewhere about 1844, during a severe snow-storm, a large flock of these birds made their appearance in Boston, and alighted on a large horse-chestnut tree that stood in an open and retired place. There were at least twenty or thirty in the flock; they remained in their shelter undisturbed for some time, and their true specific character was plainly noticeable.
Several specimens were procured near Worcester, Mass., and given to Dr. Bryant. Eleven individuals of this species were shot in Bolton by Mr. S. Jillson, January, 1864, and others have since been noticed in Watertown by Mr. William Brewster. They have also been obtained near Hartford, Conn., by Dr. Wood.
Prior to this, as Mr. Audubon states, specimens had been procured near Philadelphia, and in the winters of 1830 and 1832 several of these birds were also shot on Long Island.
Mr. Boardman mentions that they are occasional, in winter, near Calais; and Professor Verrill, who did not meet with it in Norway, Me., cites it as accidental and rare in the State.