ANDERSON — THE BIRDS OF IOWA. 337 



distribution are very irregular. They have been reported from 

 nearly all portions of Iowa but are most commonly observed in 

 the northern part of the state. Large flocks appear some winters 

 and may remain in a neighborhood for months, feeding princi- 

 pally upon hackberries, bittersweet berries and the fruit of the 

 mountain-ash tree. They may appear for several winters in suc- 

 cession and then absent themselves for an equally long period. 

 The earliest date I have seen them was November 24, 1894, when 

 two were seen; a large flock seen December 16, 1891, and from 

 January 24 to 31, 1892, a large flock remained in Forest City, 

 feeding upon mountain-ash berries in dooryards. Dr.C.C. Smith 

 shot one from a large flock, March 18, 1896, the first time he had 

 observed the species. Since then he has many times observed 

 large flocks. The Bohemian Waxwing has been observed in 

 Iowa City on a number of occasions. They are usually quite 

 tame and unsuspicious. 



277. (619). Anipclis ccdroruD! {\"\&\\\.). Cedar Waxwing. 



The Cedar Waxwing, Cedar-bird, or Cherry-bird is common in 

 all parts of Iowa. While it is most common during the migrating 

 season, large flocks are apt to appear in any month of the year, 

 and a few remain to breed. Flocks are most frequently seen in 

 February and March, and during the cherry season they usually 

 do not fail to visit the orchards. In winter, the bittersweet and 

 mountain-ash and cedar-berries are favorite foods. The Cedar- 

 birds nest later in the .season than most birds, usually in July and 

 August, building indiscriminately in shade trees, orchards, or on 

 the borders of woods and streams. Paul Bartsch records a set of 

 eggs taken May 26, 1888, in an apple tree, at Burlington, and C. 

 F. Henningaset taken June 15, 1890, in Boone county. Bartsch 

 states that at times they nest quite commonly in willows border- 

 ing the Mississippi (Iowa Orn., i, 4, 1895, pp. 83-85). Though 

 the Cedar-birds at times consume quantities of cherries and other 

 small fruits, they destroy many noxious insects, particularly can- 

 ker-worms in orchards. J. Eugene Law says: "A pair built two 

 nests and raised two broods, one year, in our yard in the center of 

 Forest City, Iowa; the first nest was within one rod of the house" 

 (Iowa Orn., i, i, 1894, p. 26). I have found fresh eggs at Forest 

 City in June, and as late as August 8 (Winnebago). 



