74 THE BLUEBIRD AND CEDAR-BIRD. 



colonization of America by Europeans — an interesting 

 proof of the bird's intelligence. 



In the poem of Longfellow from which we have just 

 quoted occur the following lines : — 



"The purple finch, 

 That on wild cherry and red cedar feeds, 

 A winter bird, comes wath its plaintive whistle, 

 And pecks by the witch hazel, whilst aloud 

 From cottage roof the warbling bluebird sings, 

 And merrily, with oft-repeated stroke, 

 Sounds from the threshing-floor the busy flail."' 



The Bluebird to which the poet alludes fills in the 

 United States much the same place as is filled in Britain 

 by the robin. Though a bold and pugnacious bird, he is 

 very familiar with man, and does not fear to approach the 

 house, to perch on the step, or to chirp at the window. 

 His song is described as exceedingly sweet. He bears a 

 lively resemblance to our mnter-friend the robin, and, like 

 him, displays a bright red breast ; but the colour of the 

 upper plumage is a light blue. 



Eeference must also be made to the Cedar-bird; a 

 species nearly allied to the waxwing or Bohemian chat- 

 terer, but peculiar to the North American continent. 

 Apparently it migrates from one part of the country to 

 another in search of its favourite food, the berries of the 

 red cedar. But it feeds also upon other berries, and for 

 ripo cherries evinces a strong predilection. It usually 

 builds its nest, which is composed of grass, in the boughs 

 of an orchard-tree. 



