CEDAR BIRD. 71 
its crest when erected, which gives it so gay and elegant an appear- 
ance. At pleasure it can lower and contract this so closely to its 
head and neck as not to be observed. The plumage of these birds is 
of an exquisitely fine and silky texture, lying extremely smooth and 
glossy. Notwithstanding 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 atime. 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 uligino- 
sum, whortleberries, which grow there in great abundance; whole 
mountains, for many miles, being almost 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 immoderately fond; and thirty or forty 
may sometimes be seen fluttering among the branches of one small 
cedar-tree, plucking off the berries. They are also found as far 
south as Mexico, as appears from the accounts of Fernandez, Seba,t 
and others. Fernandez saw them near Tetzeuco, and calls them 
Coquantotl ; says they delight to dwell in the mountainous parts of 
the country; and that their flesh and song are both indifferent.t 
Most of our epicures here are, however, of a different opinion, as to 
their palatableness; for, in the fall and beginning of summer, 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 25th of May, appear in numerous parties, making great havock 
among the early cherries, selecting the best and ripest of the fruit. 
* They appear all to be berry-eaters, at least during winter. Those of Europe 
have generally been observed to feed on the fruit of the mountain ash, and one or 
two killed near Carlisle, which I had an opportunity of examining, were literally 
crammed with hollyberries. ‘The appetite of the Cedar Bird,” Audubon remarks, 
‘is of so extraordinary a nature as to prompt it to devour every fruit or berry that 
comes in its way. In this manner they gorge themselves to such excess as some- 
times to be unable to fly, and suffer themselves to be taken by the hand; and I 
have seen some, which, though wounded and confined to a cage, have eaten apples 
until suffocation deprived them of life.” —P. 227.‘ But they are also excellent fly- 
eatchers, spending much of their time in the pursuit of winged insects: this is not, 
however, managed with the vivacity or suddenness of true ‘Flycatchers, but with a 
kind of listlessness. They start from the branches, and give chase to the insects, 
ascending after them for a few yards, or move horizontally towards them, and as 
soon as the prey is secured, return to the spot, where they continue watching with 
slow motions of the head. This amusement is carried on during evening, and 
longer at the approach of autumn, when the berries becomne scarce. They become 
very fat during the season of fruits, and are then so tender and juicy as to be sought 
after By every epicure for the table, — a basketful of these bide is sometimes sent 
as a Christmas present.” — P. 223. — Ep. x 
+ The figure of this bird, in Seba’s volummous work, is too wretched for criti- 
cism; it is there called “ Oiseau Xomotl, d’Amerique, huppée.” Sex. ii. p. 66, t. 
65, fe. 5. 
¢ LMst. Av. Nov. Hisp. 55. 
