CEDARBIRD. 325 
bright scarlet of the “sealing-wax’’-like tips of the wings; so that, as regards plumage, 
it may vie with any bird of the tropics. The development of the inner wing-quills is 
very peculiar, ending into small hard, horny appendages similar to sealing-wax of 
beautiful scarlet color. If I may judge the wild birds from my observations of those 
that are caged, it would seem that these little appendages disappear in July or August, 
to reappear when the bird is moulting. This process is analogous to that of some other 
birds who in spring loose a small edge of the outer border of their plumage, so that 
the usual color changes into a richer looking wedding dress. 
The flight of our Cedarbird is exceedingly graceful, quick, and soft. Even among 
dense twigs it never moves without dexterity, though somewhat slow owing to its 
comparatively short legs, yet gracefully and with lively and active expression. With all 
birds the moods and excitements of feeling are expressed in the face, as every experienced 
observer well knows; but those whose head the Creator has ornamented with a crest, 
possess in this ornament an exceedingly fit organ for the expression of their feelings. 
Any one may convince himself of the fact by watching the Cedarbirds. When in the spring 
the male courts the female, he seems to speak so persuasively by his bows, the peculiar 
puffing up of certain feathery parts of his face, and the quick alternate lifting and lower- 
ing of the crest of his head, that the female soon responsively denotes the state of her 
feelings in somewhat similar mimical manner. During this time the female also sings— 
a pleasant medley of soft lisping, trilling, chirping, and whistling notes. The male sings - 
somewhat louder and, if well, all the year, though most continually and energetically in 
the spring. The mates are much attached to each other and very tenderly demonstrative. 
They not only place their head and beak affectionately into each other’s plumage, but 
they generally sit, fly, and hop about in close companionship. If for a few moments by 
chance they are separated, a gentle, tremulous whistling call quickly unites them again. 
They rest and sleep perched closely side by side, and eat together in most peaceful 
concord and without a shadow of envy. Even after nesting time the mates keep together, 
at least they do so in captivity. During their stay with us in swarms in winter, when 
resting after their meals, they separate into pairs also. When just caught and placed 
in a cage—I always caught them in winter—this bird seems quickly resigned to the 
change. Instead of raging and hurting its beak and plumage by flying against the 
cage-bars, it looks about first somewhat surprised, then apparently from curiosity, flies 
down to the feed pot, if there are berries in it, then takes a bath, and after that places 
itself in cool composure on the perch to rest and put its plumage in the best possible 
order. This as well as many other qualities recommend it for a cage bird. Among these 
qualities are its beauty and the care it takes of its fine plumage, its amiable disposition 
even to other birds in the same cage, and its easy keeping. But the following conditions 
must be complied with: Its cage must be as roomy as possible for free flight and motion.. 
It must not be caged alone, but in pairs or even in small flocks of from four to ten, 
and for cleanliness’ sake the floor of the cage must be thickly. covered with sand, and in 
places where necessary with short cut moss. The food consists of grated raw carrots 
(as a substitute for berries), small pieces of boiled carrots and potatoes, dried fruit cut 
small, fresh berries of all kinds, dried berries soaked in warm water, and such food as 
is given to insect eaters. A mixture of grated carrots and mockingbird-food is also a 
