290 BIRDS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



fruit becomes more common, as it doubtless will be, these dep- 

 redations will continue to be vexatious and discouraging ; and 

 the better Avay will be, to accept them as an intimation, to 

 provide enough for ourselves and the cedar-birds too. 



There are some things curious and unexplained in the habits 

 of this bird. They ii-ay not unfrequently be seen sitting in a 

 row, when one who has found a favorite morsel, hands it to his 

 next neighbor, he, instead of eating it, passes it on, and thus 

 it goes round, each one declining it with a Parisian nod of his 

 tall cap that is perfectly irresistible. What this ceremonious 

 display may mean, it is not so easy to tell. They have also a 

 habit, when wounded, of remaining still and stiff, as if dead, 

 and Avill suflfer a person to take them up in his hand, without 

 the least effort to resist or get away. 



They generally build, in the orchard, a carelessly construct- 

 ed nest, of coarse grass lined with fine. The eggs are about 

 four, of a purplish Avhite marked with black spots, larger to- 

 ward the great end. The young are fed at first on insects, 

 and afterwards on fruit. The parental affection of the old 

 birds is not exemplary, since, if the nest is approached, their 

 impulse is to take particular care of themselves. Gentleness, 

 however, is the uniform characteristic of this bird. It comes 

 to us in the beginning of April, and remains till late, being a 

 northern bird, and capable of enduring cold. 



The Waxen Chatterer, Bomhycilla garrula, is a bird hith- 

 erto supposed to be unknown in Massachusetts ; but I learn 

 from Dr. Brewer, that an individual of this species was pursued 

 in this State by the younger Mr. Audubon, who is familiar 

 with birds of all descriptions. It must therefore be set down 

 as a, visiter in our State, though probably accidental. 



