Family Ampelidce Cedar Waxwing 89 



FAMILY 



40. CEDAR WAXWING; CEDARBIRD 



CHERRYBIRD 



( A mpelis cedrorum . ) 



Head brown both above and below, shading into ash on wings and 

 tail, and into yellow on the belly. A black band runs across 

 the base of the bill, and back through the eye. There is a crest ; 

 though, as the bird may depress it, it is not always noticeable. 

 Bill and feet medium, dark. Bird about half way in size be- 

 tween a robin and a sparrow. Sexes alike. 



THESE birds are very irregular in their move- 

 ments ; but one may look with most hope of finding 

 them among cedars, junipers, mountain-ash, and es- 

 pecially cherry-trees, as the fruits of these different 

 trees attract them, serving them as food. They 

 move in small flocks, except at the breeding-season, 

 when they are in pairs. They may be found at any 

 time during the year, but are most abundant in the 

 warmer months. 



The nest is usually placed in an orchard-tree or 

 a cedar, at a moderate height above the ground. 

 Eggs are laid in late June or early July. 



They have no proper song, only a faint lisping 

 note ; but their dainty costume, and their exquisite 

 courtesy one to another, render them more inter- 

 esting than many a vocalist. 



