waxwing WESTERN BIRDS 



holding it in his bill hopped toward another bird on the 

 same branch — presumedly a female — and offered it to 

 her. She nibbled from the opposite side, then each bird 

 hopped back a few steps, then toward each other again, 

 and the female took from the ball which the male held all 

 this time. For several minutes they kept up this dainty 

 exhibition. 



Although these birds do some harm by eating culti- 

 vated fruit, they also do much good by eating noxious 

 insects, especially scales and the dreaded elm beetle. 

 Prof. Forbes tells us that he estimates that thirty Cedar 

 Waxwings will destroy 90,000 canker worms in a month, 

 which calculation Forbush believes to be far within 

 bounds. 



Surely we who know these beautiful birds would pro- 

 tect them for sentimental reasons, but we are glad to 

 know that economically they warrant protection. 



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