seldom equaled among birds. They will carefully dress one 

 another's feathers, and while doing it, throw in a few caresses 

 for good measure. So far does this kindness extend that one 

 bird may deny itself the pleasure of eating a nice fat worm in 

 order to pass it to its companions, all of whom may do the 

 same polite thing. 



The mating does not take place until late in June when 

 the flocks break up and the nesting begins. These birds seem 

 to wait for the fruits on which they feed their young to ripen 

 before beginning their nests. The female and the young' 

 closely resemble the male bird, which is not a common occur- 

 rence among the highly colored birds. 



The farmer is not partial to the Cedar-bird, or Cherry- 

 bird as he calls it, because it sometimes helps itself to a few 

 early cherries and other small fruits of the garden. He may 

 not know that his loss is overbalanced by the help which the 

 bird gives him in the spring, when it feeds on the Canker- 

 worm, so injurious to elms and other shade trees. During 

 the summer months wild berries are the principal diet of Cedar- 

 birds. 



We listen in vain for a song from this bird. Only a faint 

 tseep, tseep ever escapes from it. However, its fine manners 

 and splendid uniform command our admiration, and fully 

 atone for the lack of song. 



67 



