402 NOR'"H AM KKICAN BIRDS. 



nearly white. The wiiito baud iiciuss the IbreliuuJ is very broad ; the ex- 

 trenio point of the chin only black. Whether it is a representative of a style 

 peculiar to the Great Basin, or merely a bleaclied individual, cannot be de- 

 cided without additional specimens from tlio same regiciu. 



There is so much variation in diherent specimens ii. regard to the red wax- 

 like appendages, that the Guatemalan specimen mentioned above can hardly 

 be considered as more tluui a very highly developed individual. 



Habits. The habits of the common Cedar-Dird are eminently nomadic, 

 and, .so far as those of the Waxwiug are known, correspond in all respects, 

 except in the more general and especially the more soutliern distribution of 

 the present species. They are found throughout North America at least so 

 far as the wooded country cxtenils, anil they breed from Florida to tlie Rod 

 River country. They are a connnon bird in New England, and would be 

 much more so but that their fondness for cherries and other small fruits, and 

 their indifference to danger, makes them an easy and freipient mark for de- 

 struction. Their unpopularity has caused their numbers to be greatly reduced 

 of late years in the thickly settled portions of the country. 



In Southern Texas Mr. Dresser found tliese ))irds very common during the 

 winter at San Antonio and Eagle Pass, but he observed none later than the 

 middle of April. They were seen in Tanuiulipas, by Lieutenant Couch, in 

 March, and afterwards in April at New Leon, Mexico. Sumichrast states tliat 

 these birds are found every wliere and in great abundance in winter through- 

 out Vera Cruz. They are tliere known as the Chinito, and are highly appre- 

 ciated by the Mexican epicures. They are ecjually abundant in northern 

 parts of South America, and also tlu'oughout Central America. 



In Wasliington Territory and in Oregon Dr. Cocjper speaks of them as less 

 common than in tlie Atlantic States, and he oidy met with a few, in single 

 pairs, in the sunnner. Townsend states that lie found them in Oregon, but 

 Dr. Suckley never met with any west of the Rocky Mountains. 



In California Dr. Cooper has seen small flocks in winter, as far south as 

 San Diego, feeding on the mistletoe berries. He found their nests at Fort 

 Vancouver, and has no doubt that they also breed in various parts of Cali- 

 fornia. 



Mr. Robert Kennicott states, among other memoranda of his route, that, 

 May 31, on an island in Winnipeg River, lie saw a large flock of tliese 

 birds, iiunil)ering fifty or mo'-e. 



With some irregularity as to their appearance, they are found throughout 

 the year in New England, their presence being usually regulated by tlieir 

 food. Tiiey are, by preference, eaters of berries and other vegetable food, 

 except in spring and early summer, wlien they eat insects almost exclusively, 

 feeding upon the larvie of the spanworm and the canker-worm, and small 

 caterpillars, and sup])lyiug these; to their young. They also feed their nest- 

 lings with various kinds of berries and small fruits, botli cultivated and wild. 

 They do not nest until late in .luue or eaily in July, and with so much 



