1 16 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



and the wood is as durable as that of any kind of oak. Its peculiar value 

 consists in its growing very straight and free from large limbs; and of its 

 being found, oftener than otherwire, of a size suitable for log buildings. 



"The whole surface of the country that I have seen is free from stone, 

 and it is not often met with in digging wells; though quarries of stone are 

 found here and there on the banks of our large streams, some of which 

 make excellent grindstones. Beds of nearly pure sand are occasionally 

 met with, but it does not predominate in tlie soil. The upland, though not 

 remarkable for' fertility, has a light, warm, mellow soil, which is easily 

 tilled and gives very satisfactory results for several of the first years it is 

 under the plow. 



Adjourned. John W. Chambers, Secretary. 



October 25, 1864. 

 Mr. Nathan C. Ely in the chair. 



Food of Cedar-Birds. 



Mr, S. R. Dunn, Woburn, Mass., thinks that cedar-birds have kept his 

 fruit trees nearly clear of worms for several years. They come in flocks 

 as soon as tlie worms appear. 



Dr. Trimble, the entomologist of New Jersey. — I consider the cedar-bird 

 one of the most valuable laborers upon the farm, orchard or garden. I 

 have paid great attention \o the subject during the past summer. I have 

 shot and dissected several of these birds at different periods, and found 

 their stomachs filled with worms. In one I counted the remains of thirty- 

 eix^of the destructive kind known as canker worms. I have watched the 

 parks in' this city and found that upon days when but few persons were 

 there, cedar-birds came in flocks to feed upon the span worms, which are 

 such a nuisance every year, and am of opinion that if the parks were closed 

 for some weeks, at the proper season, that the birds would soon abate the 

 nuisance. When the worms first appear, would be the proper time, for 

 then it takes a much larger number to satisfy a bird. They feed upon 

 them, however, in all stag-es of their existence, even after they are wrapped 

 up in their cocoons. These birds never have their young until worms are 

 abundant. It is true that later in the season they eat a few cherries, for 

 which they are shot, and in autumn we see long strings of them exposed 

 for sale in the city markets. This should be utterly prohibited. They 

 should be protected in ever}^ possible way, and so should all the class of 

 insectivorous birds, particularly the three warblers of Wilson and the 

 bobolink. 



Rev. Mr. Weaver asked the doctor to describe the cedar-bird, as we now 

 have many in the city which resemble the canary birds, only larger. Some 

 call them English sparrows. Are they cedar-birds or sparrows? 



Dr. Trimble said that they were neither. The cedar-bird had a high tuft 

 on its head, and the ends of the wing and tail-feathers appear as though 

 tipped with wax. They are very beautiful as well as valuable. 



The chairman said that a flock of these yellow brown birds spoken of, 

 had been busily searching the trees in his yard for two weeks, and he had 

 taken great care not to frighten them away. What are they? 



