CEDAR BIRD. 543 



about one per cent., while those with white markings on the wings are much rarer. Some localities appear 

 to produce manj' specimens in both of these conditions, whereas they are scarcely to be found in others. I 

 have collected quite a number thus marked about Newton, Mass., j-et I never found a single specimen at 

 Ipswich. 1 can find no difference between individuals taken in Florida and those taken in New England, 

 excepting that I never saw one from the former locality which had the red tippings, and 1 have taken a 

 considerable number there. Distiibuted as a resident species or an irregular migrant throughout North 

 America north to Hudson's Bay, breeding in the more northern portions. 



DIMENSIONS. 



Average measurements of thirty-two specimens. Length, 7.20; stretch, 11. G."5; wing, 2.75 ; tail, 2.2.5; 

 bill, .42; tarsus, .65. Longest specimen, 7.50 ; greatest extent of wings, 12.25; longest wing, 4.00; tail, 

 2.75 ; bill, .45 ; tarsus, .70. Shortest specimen, 6.75; smallest extent of wings, ILOO; shortest wing, 3.60; 

 tail, 2.00; bill, .27 ; tarsus, .25. 



DESCRIPTION OF NESTS AND EGGS. 



Nests, composed of cedar bark, fibrous roots and dried grasses. Dimensions, external diameter, 4 

 inches, internal, 3 ; external depth, 3 inches, internal, 2.50. 



Eggs, oval in form, bluish-white in color, with the larger ends covered with round spots of black ; there 

 are also spots showing beneath the surface. The smaller ends are occasionally marked with black. 

 Dimensions, from .80 by .GO to .00 by .65. 



HABITS. 

 The sinsular lisiiinsr notes of the Cedar Bird mav be heard durino; winter ahnost 

 anywhere in Florida north of Lake Monroe. The^' move in large flocks here as is 

 their custom elsewhere, but mainly fre([uent open places near settlements. As their food 

 at that time consists mostly of insecti^, tliey doubtless find a large supph- in those locali- 

 ties. I do not think tliey breed in the state, but linger until May, when they go farther 

 north. The migrating movements of this species in eastern Massachusetts are quite 

 singular. In Ma}-, \vhen the apple-trees are in bloom, thej' appear ui great numbers and 

 subsist upon the lar\ae of various species of Lepdoptera, which infest these trees, 

 occasionally intei'larding their repast with the petals and stamens of the blossoms. About 

 the middle of June, the\' build their nests, the young are out in July, and later may be 

 seen, in company Avith their parents, chasing insects. They are especially abundant at 

 this time in the vicinity of bodies of fresh water, and will often alight upon lil\-leaves and 

 other aquatic plants, in order to secure their prey; or will take their food l)y plunging 

 downward from a limb Avhich overhangs the water and hovering for a moment over the 

 surface. By the first of September, they are gone and we seldom see them again until 

 the following Fel)ruary, then, when the (icdar and savin berries are fully ripe, they appear 

 in immense flocks and feed upon them. They will then also cat largel}'^ of the fruit of the 

 moimtain ash and asparagus. By the middle of March, they once more disappear and 

 Ave do not see them again until the folloAving .Tune. These birds usually place their 

 nests on the limbs of apple trees or in their favorite cedars. The parents are A-ery 

 solicitous for the safety of their eggs or 3^oung, and Avill alight quite near the intruder, 

 continually uttering their sharp hissing notes. While incubating they pay A'cry little 

 attention to the pi'escuce of men ; indeed, I once knew a pair that constructed their nest 

 in a small red cedar, whi(!li stood near a path along Avhich many peo])le Avcre con.stantly 



