402 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



nearly white. The white band across the forehead is very broad ; the ex- 

 treme point of the chin only black. Whether it is a representative of a style 

 peculiar to the Great Basin, or merely a bleaulied individual, cannot be de- 

 cided without additional specimens from the same region. 



There is so much variation in ditt'erent specimens in regard to the red wax- 

 like appendages, that the Guatemalan specimen mentioned above can hardly 

 be considered as more than a very highly developed individual. 



Habits. The habits of the common Cedar-Bird are eminently nomadic, 

 and, so far as those of the Wax\\ing are known, correspond in all respects, 

 except in the more general and especially the more southern distribution of 

 the present species. They are found tliroughout Xorth America at least so 

 far as the wooded country extends, and they breed from Florida to the Eed 

 River country. They are a common bird in New England, and would be 

 much more so but that their fondness for cherries and other small fruits, and 

 their indifference to danger, makes them an easy and frequent mark for de- 

 struction. Their unpopularity has caused their numbers to be greatly reduced 

 of late years in the thickly settled portions of the country. 



In Southern Texas Mr. Dresser found tlie.se birds very conimon during the 

 winter at San Antonio and Eagle Bass, but he observed none later than the 

 middle of April. They were seen in Tamaulipas, by Lieutenant Couch, in 

 March, and afterwards in April at New Leon, Mexico. Sumichrast states that 

 these birds are found everywhere and in great alaindance in winter through- 

 out Vera Cruz. They are there known as the Uhiaito. and are highly appre- 

 ciated by the Mexican epicures. They are equally abuudant in northern 

 parts of South America, and also throughout Central America. 



In Washington Territory and in Oregon Dr. Cooper speaks of them as less 

 common than in the Atlantic States, and he only met with a few, in single 

 pairs, in the summer. Townsend states tliat he found them in Oregon, but 

 Dr. Suckley never met with any west of the Rocky Mountains. 



In California Dr. Cooper has seen small flocks in winter, as far south as 

 San Diego, feeding on the mistletoe berries. He found their nests at Fort 

 Vancouver, and has no doubt that they also breed in various parts of Cali- 

 fornia. 



Mr. Robert Kennicott states, among other memoranda of his route, that, 

 May 31, on an island in Winnipeg River, he saw a large flock of these 

 birds, numbering fifty or more. 



With some iiTegularity as to their appearance, they are found throughout 

 the year in New England, their presence being usually regulated by their 

 food. They are, by preference, eaters of lierries and other vegetaljle food, 

 except in spring and early summer, wlien they eat insects almost exclusively, 

 feeding upon the larvse of the spanworm and tlie canker-worm, and small 

 caterpillars, and supplying these to their young. They also feed their nest- 

 lings with various kinds of berries and small fruits, both cultivated and wild. 

 They do not nest until late in June or early in July, and with so much 



