100 



OUR SOUTHERN BIRDS 



each wing is what appears to be a row of drops 

 of bright red sealing wax. The body color is a 

 smooth and delicate fawn which sunshine tints 

 softly golden; there is a tuft on the head, and 

 a yellow band across the tail. 



These birds come and go in flocks, delighting 

 the very dooryard for a few days and then dis- 

 appearing for months together. One never 

 knows w T here to find them, but may walk up on 



a pretty group at any time. 

 In our latitude they are win- 

 ter visitors, building their 

 nests from Virginia north- 

 ward. At the time when a 

 company of them descends 

 upon the May cherries and 

 provokes us to wrath by se- 

 lecting the ripest and finest, 

 most of our small birds are 

 sitting, or have young in the nest, while some 

 species are already considering a second venture 

 in home-making. But it is not until June is well 

 begun, and other birds are through with family 

 cares for the season, that the beautiful Wax- 

 wings begin to build. 



They seem to have no molting period; their 

 appearance is always neat and full-feathered. 

 Where most birds are incessantly in motion, 

 restlessly changing position and place, nervously 



CEDAR WAXWING 

 Length 7 inches 



