i S t i
Genus BOMB Y CIV ORA, Temm.
G en . C h a e . B e a k short, straight, elevated, the upper mandible slightly curved towards its
extremity and furnished with a v ery marked tooth. N o strils basal, ovoid, open, concealed
b y short stiff hairs directed forward. Toes, three before and one behind, the external and
middle toes united. Wings moderate, the first and second quill-feathers equal and longest.
WA X E N C H A T T E R E R .
JBombycivora garrnla, Temm.
L e Grand Jaseur.
The birds composing the genus Bombycivora, as restricted by M. Temminck, are by no means numerous,
three species only having as yet, we believe, been discovered. The present beautiful example, which is the
largest, and may be considered the most typical o f the genus, is the only one Europe affords u s; it is also to
be found in the northern regions o f America, although much less common than the smaller allied species
peculiar to that Continent. The rare and uncertain visits o f the Waxen Chatterer to our Island afford
us but little insight into its history, as it is in winter only that small flocks now and then appear, driven
probably by the severity of the season in northern climes to a more southern retreat.
Its true habitat appears to be the regions o f the arctic circle, whence it emigrates to the adjacent districts
both of Asia and Europe. Dr. Latham informs us that it is plentiful both at St. Petersburg and Moscow in
the winter, but is observed to come there from -parts further north, and to depart again to the arctic circle in
spring. It is never known to breed in Russia, is scarce in Siberia, has not been found beyond the Lena, and
is mentioned as a Tartarian bird by Frisch, who says it breeds among the rocks; and nothing more, we
believe, is known respecting its habits and nidification. The formation and general structure o f its beak
indicate it to be a true berry-feeder, and we accordingly find that during its visits here its food consists of the
berries o f the mountain ash, the haw, the privet, &c.
The general colour of the body of the male bird is o f a dull vinous ash, with a bright ferruginous tinge on
the forehead and cheeks; the feathers o f the head prolonged into a beautiful crest; beak and tarsi black; the
throat, the feathers o f the nostrils, and a band which passes from the beak through the eye, black ; primary
quill-feathers brownish-black, each feather being marked on the inner margin o f the tip with a yellow line ;
secondaries tipped with white and having the shaft prolonged and furnished with singular appendages
resembling red sealing-wax, whence its name; upper tail-coverts ash-coloured, the under ones ferruginous;
tail black tipped with a yellow band.
The male and female offer but slight external differences, both having the wax-like appendages to the
secondaries'; they are, however, less numerous in the female, and are altogether wanting in the young.
Our Plate represents a male in the adult plumage and of the natural size.