The Cedar-Bird 



99 



two birds the band of velvety feathers, which traverses the eye, 

 and is jet black in an adult bird, had begun to darken, while 

 the fawn-colored fillet already mentioned was perceptibly re- 

 duced, a striking and characteristic change which is usually 

 noticed at the fourteenth day. Compare Figs. 52 and 59. 



Fig. 58. Cleaning the nest. 'When the young are fed, the duty of 

 the old bird is but half done. 



That peculiar attitude of the young just described, in which 

 they stand silent and motionless on their nest with heads up- 

 raised, is a form of instinctive behavior which in the adult 

 may be considered in the light of protective mimicry. We 

 have already seen how the timid Cedar-bird, when surprised, 

 will throw up its head and with its bill pointing to the zenith 

 will sit immovable like a statue, in this way simulating a short 



