96 



BIRDS OF AMERICA 



is dressed in a robe of sucli delicate and silky 

 texture? Those shades of blending beauty, 

 velvety black, brightening into fawn, melting 

 browns, shifting saffrons, quaker drabs, pale 



Photo by H. K. JmI. Courtesy of Uutini; Pub. 



YOUNG CEDAR WAXWINGS 



blue, and slate with trimmings of white and 

 golden yellow, and the little red appendage.; on 

 the wing, not found in any other family of birds 

 — all, combined with its graceful form, give 

 the bird an appearance of elegance and distinc- 

 tion peculiarly its own. Its mobile, erectile 

 crest expresses every emotion. When lying 

 loose and low upon the head, it signifies ease and 

 comfort. Excitement or surprise erect it at once, 

 and in fear it is pres ed flat. 



" In 1908, some fruit-growers in \'crmont 

 introduced into the Assembly a bill framed to 

 allow them to shoot Cedar W'axwings. This 

 bill was pushed with such vigor that it passed 

 the House in spite of all the arguments that 

 could be advanced regarding the usefulness of 

 the birds. In the Senate, however, these argu- 

 ments were drop]ied, and the senators were 

 shown mounted specimens of the bird. That 

 was enough ; its beauty conquered and the bill 

 was defeated." 



" Like some other plumji and well-fed person- 

 ages," continues Mr. Forbush, " the Cedar Wax- 

 wing is good-natured, happy, tender-hearted, 

 fffectionate and blessed with a good disposition. 

 It is fond of good company. When the nesting- 

 season is past, each harmonious little family 

 joins with others imtil the flock may number 

 from thirty to sixty individuals. They fly in 

 close order, and keep well together through the 

 winter and spring until the nesting-season again 



arrives. Their manner of flight is rarely sur- 

 passed. Often they suddenly wheel as if at 

 command and plunge swiftly downward, alight- 

 ing in a compact band on the top of some leafless 

 tree. They roam over the covmtry like the Pas- 

 senger Pigeon, never stopping long except where 

 food is abundant. \\'hen hunting for caterpillars 

 in the trees, tliey sometimes climb about like 

 little Parrots. They often show their affectionate 

 disposition by ' billing,' and by dressing one 

 .'mother's plumage as they sit in a row." 



The \\ axwings well illustrate the rule ( to 

 which, however, there are a few exceptions) 

 that birds with conspicuous or strikingly beautiful 

 plumage are rarely good singers, for their vocal 

 capacities are limited to a faint sibilant note 

 uttered both when the bird is in flight and at rest. 

 Mr. Brewster records hearing the bird utter a 

 series of loud, full notes, resembling those of the 

 Tree Swallow, but these certainly are not 

 common. 



The Bohemian Waxwing is another beautiful 

 member of this family, and has habits and a 

 disposition similar to the Cedar Bird. It is com- 

 paratively rare, however, as it occurs onlv in the 

 upper Mississippi valley and some of the moun- 

 tain States and is infrequently seen at or near the 

 .\tlantic coast. George Gl.adden. 



Photo by A. A. Allen 



CEDAR WAXWING 

 At its nest in a thorn bush 



The Cedar Waxwing's proverbial fondness for 

 cherries has given it its popular name ( Cherry 

 Bird), and much complaint is made on account of 

 the fruit it eats. Observation shows, however, 

 that its depredations are confined to trees on 

 which the fruit ripens earliest, while later 



