CEDAR WAXWING. 



619. Bomhycilla cedrorum. 7 inches. 



Plumage very soft colored with a general brownish 

 tone, shading to gray on the rump. The Waxwings 

 are named from the curious wax-like appendages at- 

 tached to the tips of the secondaries, and rarely to 

 the tail feathers. They are very sociable and usually 

 feed in flocks. They live chiefly upon fruit and are 

 especially fond of cherries, for which reason they are 

 very often known as Cherry-birds. They are very tame 

 and allow anyone to almost touch them while they are 

 feeding or sitting upon their nests. 



Note. — An insignificant lisping hiss. 



Nest. — A substantial structure of twigs, mosses, 

 twine, etc., lined with fine grasses ; placed in cedar 

 trees or, when near habitations, usually in orchard trees ; 

 the four or five eggs are dull bluish white, specked with 

 black (.85 X .60). 



Range. — N. A., breeding from Virginia, Missouri and 

 northern California north to Labrador and southern 

 Alaska; winters throughout the United States. 



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