THE WAXWING Ampelis garrulus, Linnæus
Reading edition
WAXWING Ampelis garrulus Adult (left). Young (right)
105
Breeding as far north as the limit of tree growth will allow, the Waxwing is only known in these islands as an irregular winter visitor. It migrates yearly to South-east France, Italy, and Turkey, and only under stress of weather do its migrations extend westwards, so as to include our islands. Its food consists chiefly of berries, though insects also form no insignificant part of its diet. When in these islands it will usually be found in plantations. It is a short thick-set bird, having a steady and rapid flight when on the wing. The general colour is greyish brown, and it has a flat and backwardly-directed crest that can be erected at will. The accompanying plate gives so good an idea of this bird, which has no affinities with any other species, that further description is unnecessary. The sexes are alike, but in the males the vermilion waxtips of the quill and tail feathers, to which it owes its popular name, are larger and more numerous.
In fully adult birds the yellow line of the outer vein of the primaries is continued on the inner vein, forming an arrow-shaped marking. Length 7·5 in.; wing 4·5 in.