200 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. 



the wing, one across ends of primary coverts, and the other across ends of secondaries 

 (the first occupying both webs, and the latter the outer), white. Primary coverts, pri- 

 maries, and tail slaty black, the latter growing gradually ashy basally. A broad band 

 across end of tall, and a longitudinal space along end of outer web of primaries, gam- 

 boge-yellow,— the marks on primaries, however, sometimes white, only stained with 

 yellow. Each of the secondaries with an expanded continuation of the shaft, in form of 

 flattened, very thin, somewhat elliptical appendages, of a bright vermilion-red resem- 

 bling red sealing-wax. Length. 7.40; wing, 4.50; tail, 3.00." ^Hist. y. Am. B.) 



The sexes are essentially alike in coloration, but j'onnger birds 

 have little or no yellow on the wing, the markings being entirely 

 wliite, or yellowish white, and reduced in size ; the yellow tip to 

 the tail is also narrower, and the "sealing-wax" appendages more or 

 less rudimentary, or even wanting altogether. 



This exquisite bird is an abundant though very irregular winter 

 visitor to the extreme northern portion of the State, and even occa- 

 sionally wanders to the southern portion. Professor Forbes having 

 taken a specimen at Villa Ridge, Pulaski county, December 18, 1879. 

 (See Bull. Ntitt. Om. Cliih, Vol. V., p. 118.) 



In Cook county, Mr. Nelson says* that it is "an irregular but 

 occasionally abundant winter resident, especially along the lake. 

 Arrives in December, and sometimes remains until April. The win- 

 ter of 1875-76 they were unusually numerous. In a letter dated 

 March 16, 1876, Mr. Charles Douglas, of Waukegan, describes an 

 "immense" flock of these birds which he observed the day previous, 

 upon the lake shore near that town. The birds were feeding upon 

 the juniper berries found there, and covered, according to Mr. 

 Douglas's estimation, an area at least ten rods square. While feed- 

 ing, those in the rear were continually flying and alighting in ad- 

 vance, thus keeping the flock moving so that it was difficult to 

 overtake them. A few days later the flock separated into numerous 

 smaller ones, and soon departed for the north." 



Ampelis cedrorum (Vieill.) 



CEDAB WAXWING. 



Popular synonyms. Carolina Wax-wing; Cedar-bird; Cedar-lark; Cherry-bird. 

 Bombycilla cedrorum Vieill. Ois. Am. Sept. i, 1807,88, pi. 57. 

 Ampelis cedrorum Geat. 1849.— Baird, B. N. Am. 1858, 319; Cat. N. Am. B. 18r.9.No. 233; 



Review, 1866, 407.— CouEs, Key, 1872,115; Check List. 1873, No. 119; 2d ed. 1882, No. 



167: B. N. W. 1874, 93. 233; B. Col. Val. 1878, 470.— B, B, & R. Hist. N. Am. B. 1,1874, 401. 



pi. 13, flg. 2.— RiDGW. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881. No. 151. 

 Ampelis americana WiLS. Am. Orn. 1,1808,107. pi. 7, fig. 1. 

 Bombycilla carolinensis Steph, Gen. Zool. x,1817. 422.— AnD. Orn.Biog. i, 1831, 227, pi. 43; 



Bynop, 1839, 165; B. Am. iv, 1842,169. pi, 246.— NuTT. Man. i. 1832,248. 



•Bull. Essex Inst. Vol vUi,1.876. p. 103. 



