CEDAR-BIRD, 143 



found; or even if it were, this would only show more clearly 

 the specific difference of the two, by proving, that climate or 

 food could never have produced these differences in either, when 

 both retain them, though confined to the same climate. 



But it is not only in the colour of their plumage that these 

 two birds differ, but in several important particulars, in their 

 manners and habits. The breeding place of the European spe- 

 cies is absolutely unknown; supposed to be somewhere about the 

 polar regions; from whence, in winter, they make different and 

 very irregular excursions to different parts of Europe; seldom 

 advancing farther south than the north of England, in lat. 54 

 N. and so irregularly, that many years sometimes elapse be- 

 tween their departure and reappearance; which in more super- 

 stitious ages has been supposed to portend some great national 

 calamity. On the other hand, the American species inhabits the 

 whole extensive range between Mexico and Canada, and per- 

 haps much farther both northerly and southerly, building and 

 rearing their young in all the intermediate regions, often in our 

 gardens and orchards, within a few yards of our houses. Those 

 of our fellow-citizens who have still any doubts, and wish to 

 examine for themselves, may see beautiful specimens of both 

 birds in the superb collection of Mr. Charles W. Peale of this 

 city, whose magnificent museum is indeed a national blessing, 

 and will be a lasting honour to his memory. 



In some parts of the country they are called Crown-birds; in 

 others Cherry-birds, from their fondness for that fruit. They also 

 feed on ripe persimmons, small winter grapes, bird-cherries, 

 and a great variety of other fruits and berries. The action of 

 the stomach on these seeds and berries does not seem to injure 

 their vegetative powers; but rather to promote them, by imbed- 

 ding them in a calcareous case, and they are thus transported to 

 and planted in various and distant parts by these little birds. In 

 other respects, however, their usefulness to the farmer may be 

 questioned; and in the general chorus of the featherd songsters 

 they can scarcely be said to take a part. We must therefore 

 rank them far below many more homely and minute warblers, 



