202 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. 



Guatemala (No. 50,455, male) is almost identical with examples 

 from the United States, but differs in having a small spot of yel- 

 low at the tip of each primary; also there are red appendages on 

 the tip of a few tail-feathers, as well as the longest feathers of the 

 lower tail-coverts."* 



"While speaking of this species, it may be well to add that in 

 specimens taken in worn plumage, late in summer, the colors are 

 very much bleached, all of the colors being very much paler; the 

 white band across the forehead is very much broadened, and the 

 black of the chin much lightened. The top of the head and neck 

 has an ochraceous suffusion, and the cinnamon- color of the back 

 extends into, and partially subdues the ash of the rump." 



The elegant Cedar Waxwing is an abundant species throughout 

 the State, but it is so capricious in its movements that its presence 

 or absence appears to bear no relation to season or weather, the 

 question of food supply being probably the controlling influence in 

 its wanderings. Wherever there are ripe cherries (wild or cultivated), 

 cedar berries, or berries of the black gum (Nyssa multiflora) it is 

 sure to be present. Except during the breeding season they rove in 

 flocks, uttering, both while on the wing and when feeding, a very 

 simple and perfectly monotonous lisping note, which is apparently 

 their only utterance ; for, although belonging to the Oscines, or so- 

 called "Singing Birds," this species is perhaps the most silent of 

 all the Passeres. 



During the spring of 1881, when the willow trees in a swamp 

 near Wheatland, Indiana, were infested with myriads of the larvae 

 of a small beetle (Plagiodera lapponica), immense number of Cedar- 

 birds were present feeding exclusively on these insects. They are 

 said also to be very fond of the destructive canker worm. In short, 

 there can be no doubt that, although to a certain extent inimical to 

 the grower of small fruits, they partially if not fully pay for what 

 they take, in ridding his premises of insects which would otherwise 

 injure if not destroy his trees. 



* Italics my own. 



Popular synorym. Bell's Greenlet. 



Vireo bellii AUD. B. Am. vii, 1844, 333. pi. 485.-BAIKD, B. N. Am. 1858, 337; Cat. N. Am. B. 

 1869, No. 246; Review, 1866. 358. COUES. Key, 1872, 123; Check List. 1873, No. 131; 2d 

 ed. 1882, No. 183; B. N. W. 1874, 101; B. Col. VaL 1878, 526. B. B. & R. Hist. N. Am. B. 

 i, 1874, 389, pi. 17, fig. 13. RiDGW. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 145. 



