342 NESTS AND EGGS OF 



species which was taken in Labrador, June 18, 1885. Their color is 

 bluish-white, spotted with lilac, and very dark brown, being like those 

 of the Cedar-bird, but are larger ; sizes, .99 x .70, .98 x .70, 1.05 x .69, 

 i. 06 x .70. Mr. Norris has a set of three Bohemian Wax-wing's eggs 

 taken in Lapland, June 20, 1875. These are exactly like large eggs of 

 A. cedrorum, and measure .91 x .69, .93 x .68, .89 x .68. 



619, Ampelis cedrorum (VIEILL.) [151.] 



Cedar Wax-wing. 



Hab. North America in general, from the Fur Countries southward. In winter south to Guatemala 

 and West Indies. 



The Cherry-bird, Cedar-bird, Southern, or Carolina Wax-wing, is 

 found throughout North America, as far as the wooded country extends, 

 and breeds from Florida to the Red River country. It goes in flocks 

 nearly the entire year. The usual position of the nest of these species 

 is in a cedar bush or orchard tree, and it is often placed in a sycamore, 

 the distance varying from four to eighteen feet from the ground. It is 

 sometimes a very handsome structure, being rather bulky, and made of 

 bark, leaves, roots, twigs, weeds, paper, rags, and twine, lined with finer 

 grasses, hair, and wool. The nesting time is late June, July, and 

 August. 



The eggs range from three to five in a set, average .84 x .61, and 

 are from a light slate to a deep shade of stone-color, tinged with olive, 

 marked with blotches and spots of a dark brown and purple, almost 

 black. A set of four eggs taken by E. H. Huffman in Franklin county, 

 Ohio, August 19, 1888, is before me. The eggs offer the following di- 

 mensions : .93 x .63, .85 x .65, .92 x .66, .94 x .65. These seem to be 

 uncommonly large ; a common size is .85 x .60. 



620. Phainopepla nitens (SWAINS.) [26.] 



Phaiuopepla. 



Hab. Northern Mexico and contiguous border of United States, from Western Texas to Southern 

 California. 



A singular bird, known as the Shining Fly-snapper, or Black- 

 crested Fly-catcher. It inhabits the southern portion of Western 

 United States abundant in Western Texas, Southern New Mexico, 

 Arizona, and California. Its resorts are regions of low shrubbery and 

 wooded land in the vicinity of water. According to Mr. W. E. D. 

 Scott, this bird has a peculiar, bell-like, whistling note that is very 

 musical. 



The breeding season is in May and June. The nest is built in 

 trees of various kinds, oftener perhaps in oaks and mesquites, rang- 

 ing in height from eight to twenty-five feet above ground. It is a 

 flat, loosely made affair, and the curious, light-colored vegetable sub- 



