WAX-WING, Bombyeitta, a genus of birds of the family anzpelidce, or chatterers (q.v:), having a short, straight, elevated bill, with a very wide gape, as in the fly-catchers, but without bristles; both mandibles notched at the tip; the wings rather long, broad, and pointed; the legs short; the toes long, with sharp and curved claws. The name wax wing is derived from a very peculiar character, which the wings exhibit; some of the secondaries and tertiaries terminating in horny expansions of the shaft, resembling small pieces of red sealing-wax. The species arc few, but widely diffused over the colder parts of the northern hemisphere. The only European species is the EUROPEAN WAX WING, or BOHEMIAN CHATTEHER (B. garrula), which is found in summer in the arctic regions of Europe, Asia, and America, migrating southward in winter, sometimes as far as the shores of the Mediterranean; most abundant in America, during winter, about the great lakes and the northern part of the valley of the Mississippi. It is found also in Japan. It is only an occasional winter-visitant of Britain. In some winters, numerous flocks are seen: in other winters, and more generally, none at all. It is in severe win ters that this bird is most frequently seen in Britain, and in the more southern parts of Europe. It is gregarious in winter, and the flocks are often large. It feeds on insects and worms, seeds, berries, and other fruits. It is a handsome bird, nearly as large as
the son.' thrush; a reddish gray, with a black patch on the throat, and a black band on the forehead; the tail-coverts brownish orange; the primaries, secondaries, and tail feathers tipped with yellow, two white bands on the wings; the lower parts silvery gray. The head is surmounted by an erectile crest of brownish orange feathers. The song of the wax-wing is a weak whistling, bearing a little resemblance to that of the thrush. It is easily tamed. The flesh is said to be delicate food.—The AMERICAN WAXWING, or cedar bird (B. cedrorion or Carolinensis), is a very similar, but smaller species, found only in North America, from Canada to Central America, less migratory, and never visi ting arctic regions. The general color is reddish olive, passing into purplish cinnamon in front, and into ash-color behind; the chin black; no white on the wings; the lower parts yellow. It is crested like the European wax-wing. Great flocks of cedar birds col lea in the end of summer. They feed on berries, and are particularly fond of those of the red cedar. The cedar bird is extremely voracious, and when food abounds, some times gorges itself so much, that it may be taken by the hand, It is in much esteem for the table.—Another species is found in Japan, having no waxy drops on the wings.