AGRICULTURAL ORNITHOLOGY. 299 



XIV. FABHLY BOJICYCILLIDJ2, (TIIE WAX WINGS.) 



56. Genus AmpcUs, (Linn., 1735.) 



1. A. cedrorum, (Linn.,) Bd., cedar bird, cherry bird. Resident, common, 

 rare in Avinter; granivorous; an eminently fructivorous species, as its common 

 names imply. Too well known to fruit-growers as the cherry bird, yet, as au 

 amende honorable, he feeds in spring on "small caterpillars, beetles, and small 

 insects. For hours together he may be seen feeding on the all-despoiling 

 canker worm, which infests our apple and elm ti-ees." (Nutt.) 



XV. FAMILY LANHD^, (THE SHRIKES.) 



57. Genus Colhjrio, (Mochr., 1752.) 



1. C. borealts, (Forst.,) Bd., buichcr bird. "Winter resident, rare; insec 

 tivorous. " Fond of crickets, grasshoppers, and various insects." In winter, 

 when these become scarce, he grows more predatious, seizing small birds, mice, 

 &c., with the vigor and dexterity of a hawk ; to which its robust form and 

 hooked bill give it some resemblance. 



58. Genus Vireo, (Vieill., 1S07.) 



1. V. oUvaceus, (Linn.,) Vieill., red-eyed vireo. Summer resident, fre- 

 quent ; insectivorous. Its food consists of insects and their larva;, especially 

 caterpillars. He is an animated and melodious songster. " Wantonly to des- 

 troy these delightful aids to sentimental happiness, ought to be viewed not only 

 as an act of barbarity, but almost as a sacrilege." (Nutt.) 



2. V. g ileus, {Y\c\\\..) Bon., warbling vireo. Summer resident, frequent; 

 insectivorous. " The principal food of this species consists of small black 

 caterpillars off the poplars." The most familiar of the vireos, it approaches 

 the orchard and garden, where it carefully searches for insects among the leaves 

 and branches of the trees. 



3. V. novcboracensls, (Gmel.,) Bon., white-eyed vireo. Summer resident, 

 not common ; insectivorous. Like its kindred, its food in spring consists of 

 insects ; in autumn, berries are added to its bill of fare. 



4. V. soUtarius, (Wils.,) Vieill., blue-headed vireo. Summer resident, 

 rather scarce ; insectivorous. " Its food consists of insects and berries." 



5. V. fiavifrons, (Vieill., 1807.) yellow-throated vireo. Summer resident, 

 not common ; insectivorous. Habits similar to those of the preceding species. 



Observation. — It is probable that V. j^liUadelphicris, (Cassin,) and even V 

 virescens, (Vieill.,) may yet occur within the limits of Chester county. 



XVI. FAMILY LIOTRICIIID.E. 



59. Genus Mimus, (Boie, 1826.) 



1. M. PoJijglottus, (Linn.,) Boie, mocking bird. Summer resident, rare ; 

 omnivorous. " Insects, worms, grasshoppers, and larvte are the food on which 

 they principally subsist when so eminently vocal. In winter, on the berries 

 of the red cedar, wax myrtle, holly, &;c., &c." (Nutt.) 



2. M. carol inensis (Linn.,) Gray, catbird. Summer resident, abundant; 

 omnivorous. This songster, which rivals even the mocking bird itself, and 

 feeds during a large part of the season on the very insect races which are in- 

 juring the crops of the cultivator, is often greatly persecuted. " The vulgar 

 name which it bears has served to bring it into contempt with persons not the 

 best judges of the benefits it confers on the husbandman in early spring, when 

 with industrious care it cleanses his fruit trees of thousands of larvae and in- 

 sects, which in a single day would destroy, while yet in the bud, far more of 

 his fruit than the catbird would eat in a whole season. But alas ! selfishness, 

 the usual attendant of ignorance, not only heaps maledictions on the harmless 

 bird, but dooms it to destruction. The boys pelt it with stones and destroy its 

 nest whenever an opportunity presents ; the farmer shoots it to save a pear, the 



