CEDAR-BIRD. ete 
plains the name waxwing — a tipping of a bright 
red horny substance that looks lke sealing-wax 
on the shorter feathers of its wings, and some- 
times the feathers of the tail. How prettily the 
tipping lights up its dainty coat! It gives the 
final touches to an artistic costume. But what 
impresses you most at first sight is the waxwing’s 
crest, and the fact that, unlike the fluffy chicka- 
dee, every delicately tinted feather of its shapely 
body is smoothed into place with exquisite care. 
The waxwings are the élite of bird circies, and 
seem fit companions for the proud oriole and the 
eraceful catbird. But how modest and retiring 
they seem as they hide away among the leaves, 
silent and self-contained, while the handsome oriole 
flaunts his scarlet banner through the air, blowing 
a bugle-note for all the world to hear; and the 
gay Bohemian eatbird chuckles at his own jokes, 
and tells the lilacs all he knows as he idles in the 
sunshine. 
Nuttall relates a curious instance of politeness 
which he noticed among cedar-birds. One, havy- 
ing caught an insect, gave it to his neighbor, who 
took it to give to another, he in turn passing it on, 
till it had gone the rounds of the group before it 
was devoured ! 
The gentle affectionate nature of the cedar-bird 
has often been commented upon, and naturalists 
have called attention to the fact that the pretty 
little birds have even adopted the human symbol 
