CEDAR-BIRD. 113 



plains the name waxwing a tipping of a bright 

 red horny substance that looks like sealing-wax 

 on the shorter feathers of its wings, and some- 

 times the feathers of the tail. How prettily the 

 tipping lights up its dainty coat ! It gives the 

 final touches to an artistic costume. But what 

 impresses you most at first sight is the waxwing's 

 crest, and the fact that, unlike the fluffy chicka- 

 dee, every delicately tinted feather of its shapely 

 body is smoothed into place with exquisite care. 

 The waxwings are the elite of bird circles, and 

 seem fit companions for the proud oriole and the 

 graceful catbird. But how modest and retiring 

 they seem as they hide away among the leaves, 

 silent and self-contained, while the handsome oriole 

 flaunts his scarlet banner through the air, blowing 

 a bugle-note for all the world to hear ; and the 

 gay Bohemian catbird chuckles at his own jokes, 

 and tells the lilacs all he knows as he idles in the 

 sunshine. 



Nuttall relates a curious instance of politeness 

 which he noticed among cedar-birds. One, hav- 

 ing caught an insect, gave it to his neighbor, who 

 took it to give to another, he in turn passing it on, 

 till it had gone the rounds of the group before it 

 was devoured ! 



The gentle affectionate nature of the cedar-bird 

 has often been commented upon, and naturalists 

 have called attention to the fact that the pretty 

 little birds have even adopted the human symbol 



