120 



CEDAR WAXWING. 



619. Ampelis cedrorum. 7 inches. 



Plumage very soft colored with a general brownish 

 tone, shading to gray on the rump. The Waxwings 

 are named from the curious wax-like appendages at- 

 tached to the tips of the secondaries, and rarely to 

 the tail feathers. They are very sociable and usually 

 feed in Hocks. They live chiefly upon fruit and are 

 especially fond of cherries, for which reason they are 

 very often known as Cherry-birds. They are very 

 tame and allow anyone to almost touch them while 

 they are feeding or sitting upon their nests. 



Note. An insignificant lisping hiss. 



Nest. A substantial structure of twigs, mosses, 

 twine, etc., lined with fine grasses; placed in cedar 

 trees or, when near habitations, usually in orchard 

 trees; the four or five eggs are dull bluish white, 

 specked with black (.85x.60). 



Range. N. A., breeding from Virginia, Missouri 

 and northern California north to Labrador and south- 

 ern Alaska; winters throughout the United States. 



