CEDAR-BIRD. 47 



fine and silky texture, lying extremely smooth and glossy. Notwith- 

 standing the name Chatterers given to them, they are perhaps the most 

 silent species we have ; making only a feeble, lisping sound, chiefly as 

 they rise or alight. They fly in compact bodies, of from twenty to fifty ; 

 and usually alight so close together on the same tree, that one half are 

 frequently shot down at a time. In the months of July and August, 

 they collect together in flocks, and retire to the hilly parts of the state, 

 the Blue Mountains and other collateral ridges of the Alleghany, to enjoy 

 the fruit of the Vaccinium uliginosum, whortle-berries,' which grow 

 there in great abundance ; whole mountains, for many miles, being al- 

 most entirely covered with them ; and where in the month of August 

 I have myself found the Cedar-birds numerous. In October they 

 descend to the lower cultivated parts of the country, to feed on the 

 berries of the sour gum, and red cedar, of which last they are immoder- 

 ately fond ; and thirty or forty may sometimes be seen fluttering among 

 the branches of one small cedar tree, plucking ofi" the berries. They 

 are also found as far south as Mexico, as appears from the accounts of 

 Fernandez, Seba, and others.* Fernandez saw them near Tetzeuco, 

 and calls them Coquantotl ; says they delight to dwell in the mountain- 

 ous parts of the country ; and that their flesh and song are both 

 indifferent. f Most of our epicures here, are, however, of a different 

 opinion, as to their palatableness ; for in the fall, and beginning of sum- 

 mer, when they become very fat, they are in considerable esteem for the 

 table ; and great numbers are brought to the market of Philadelphia, 

 where they are sold from twelve to twenty-five cents per dozen. During 

 the whole winter and spring they are occasionally seen ; and about the 

 twenty-fifth of May appear in numerous parties, making great havoc 

 among the early cherries, selecting the best and ripest of the fruit. Nor 

 are they easily intimidated by the presence of Mr. Scarecrow ; for I have 

 seen a flock deliberately feasting on the fruit of a loaded cherry tree, 

 while on the same tree one of these guardian angels, and a very formi- 

 dable one too, stretched his stiffened arms, and displayed his dangling 

 legs, with all the pomposity of authority ! At this time of the season 

 most of our resident birds, and many of our summer visitants, are sit- 

 ting, or have young ; while even on the first of June, the eggs in the 

 ovary of the female Cedar-bird are no larger than mustard seed ; and 

 it is generally the eighth or tenth of that month before they begin to 

 build. These last are curious circumstances, which it is difficult to ac- 

 count for, unless by supposing, that incubation is retarded by a scarcity 

 of suitable food in spring; berries and other fruit being their usual 



* The figure of this bird in Seba's voluminous work is too wretched for criticism ; 

 it is there called " Oiseau Xomotl d'Amerique huppee." Seb. ii., p. 66, t. 65, fig. 5. 

 t Hist. Av. Nov. Hisp. 55. 



