185 



description here is unnecessary. There is remarkably little seasonal or sex 

 variation and Plate XXXVII B and Figure 55, page 27, designate them 

 plainly. The shafts of the secondaries and sometimes those of the tail are 

 enlarged at the tips into brilliantly-coloured appendages having a close 

 resemblance to bits of sealing wax. 



618. Bohemian Waxwing. WANDERING CHATTERER. PR. LB JASEUR DE BOHEME. 

 Bombycilla garrula. L, 8. Almost exactly similar in form and colour to the Cedar Wax- 

 wing, but larger; the secondaries are tipped with white and most of the primaries with 

 white or yellow or both ; there is likewise a small white wing bar. The under tail coverts are 

 chestnut and the abdomen greyish without the yellow suffusion. 



Distinctions. No further distinctions are necessary; the Cedar Waxwing is the only 

 species with which it can be confused. 



Field Marks. Their trim figures and conspicuous crests easily identify the Waxwings. 

 The white or yellow on the wings and the chestnut under tail coverts are the best specific 

 field marks. 



Nesting. In trees, in nest of twigs, roots, moss, etc. 



Distribution. Northern sections of the northern hemisphere. In America, breeding 

 in the far north, northwest of Hudson bay, visiting settled districts irregularly in winter. 



Their irregular wandering habits in winter have given these birds the 

 name " Bohemian " which in this sense is synonymous with " wandering." 

 They are northwestern birds, but come into cultivated sections of eastern 

 Canada occasionally in winter, as does the Evening Grosbeak. They are 

 too rare to have any great economic influence. Their favourite food is the 

 dried waste fruit that hangs through the winter. 



619. Cedar Waxwing. CEDAR BIRD, CAROLINA WAXWING, CHERRY BIRD. FR. 

 LE JASEUR DU CEDRB Bombycilla cedrorum. L, 7-19. Plate XXXVII B. 



Distinctions. With the illustration the Cedar Waxwing can hardly be mistaken for 

 any other species except the Bohemian. For distinctions see that species. This is the only 

 Waxwing to be seen in eastern Canada in summer and the most probable one, in the 

 southern sections, in winter. 



Field Marks. The natty shape and bearing and the conspicuous upstanding crest are 

 easily recognizable field marks. The note, a fine sharp wheeze, is distinctive and soon 

 learned. See previous species. 



Nesting. Often in fruit or shade trees, in a bulky structure of strips of bark, leaves, 

 grasses, twigs, rootlets, moss, etc., lined with finer materials of the same nature. 



Distribution. America, north in Canada to and somewhat beyond the limits of 

 regular cultivation. 



The Cedar Waxing is one of the familiar birds of the orchard. It 

 builds in the fruit trees in the summer and is rather too well known in the 

 vicinity of early ripening cherries. In the winter it seeks the various kinds 

 of old dried fruit left hanging on the branches. The coloration is soft and 

 harmonious with just enough accent of contrasting colour to give character. 

 The peculiar smooth, silky texture of the plumage seems to cause the 

 feathers to cling together so that they always lie smoothly and never seem 

 awry. The red-sealing-wax-like processes in which the shafts of the 

 secondaries and sometimes the tail feather end, common to this and the 

 Bohemian Waxwing, are unique amongst American birds and give an added 

 touch of individuality. 



Economic Status. About 13 per cent of the Waxwing's food is noxious 

 insects, the remainder largely fruit. The greater part of the fruit is wild 

 and of no economic importance, in fact, as with most birds, wild fruits are 

 evidently much preferred to cultivated ones. However, when early 



