210 



THE CEDAR BIRD, OR CHERRT-BIRD. 



THE CEDAR BIRD, OR CHERRY BIRD. 



This common native wanderer, which in the summer 



its miu;rations to 



extends 

 the re- 

 motest unpeopled regions 

 of Canada,* is also found 

 throughout the American 

 continent. to Mexico, and 

 parties occasionally even 

 roam to the tropical forest 

 of Cayenne. In all this 

 extensive geographical 

 range, where great eleva- 

 tion or latitude tempers the 

 climate so as to be fovorable 

 to the production of juicy 

 fruits, the Cedar Bird will 

 probably be found either 

 almost wholly to reside or 

 to pass the season of repro- 

 duction Like its European 

 representative (the Waxen 

 Chatterer,) it is capable of 

 braving a considerable 

 degree of cold, for in Penn- 

 sylvania and New Jersey 

 some of these birds are 

 seen throughout the winter, where as well as in the early part of the 

 summer and fall, they are killed and brought to market, generally fat, 

 and much esteemed as food. Silky softness of plumage, gentleness 

 of disposition, innocence of character, extreme sociability, and an 

 innate inextinguishable love of freedom, accompanied by a constant 

 desire of wandering, are characteristic traits in the physical and moral 

 portrait of the second as well as the preceding species of this pecu- 

 liar and extraordinary genus. 



Leaving the northern part of the continent, situated beyond the 

 4-Oth degree, at the approach of winter, they assemble in companies 

 of twenty to a hundred, and wander through the Southern States and 

 Mexico to the confines of the equator, in all of which, countries they 

 are now either common or abundant. As observed by Audubon, 

 their flight is easy, continued, and often performed at a considerable 

 Height ; and they move in flocks or companies, making several turns 

 before they alight. As the mildness of spring returns, and with it 

 their flivorite food, they re-appear in the Northern and Eastern States 

 about the beginning of April, before the ripening of their favorite 



CEDAR BIRD. 



* Seen by Mr. Say near Winipique river in latitude 50, and by Mr. Drummond 

 oc the south branch of the Saskatchewan, 



