106 CEDAR BIRD. 



CEDAK BIED. {Ampelis Americana) 



PLATE VII.— Fig. 1. 



Ampelis garrulus, Linn. Syst. i. 297, 1, /3. — Bombycilla Carolinensis, Brisson, ii. 

 337, 1. Id. 8vo. i. 251.— Chatterer of Carolina, Catesb. i. 46.— Arct. Zool. ii. 

 No. 207. — Lath. Syn. iii. 93, 1, a. — Edw. 242. — Cook's Last Voyage, ii. 518. 

 — Ellis's Voyage, ii. 13. — PeaWs Museum, No. 5608. 



BOMBYCILLA AMEBICAA T A.—SwAmsox. 



Le jaseur du cedre, Bombycilla cedorum, Vieill. Gal. des Ois. pi. cxviii. p. 186. — 

 Bombycilla Carolinensis, Bonap. Synop. p. 59. — Bombycilla Americana, North. 

 Zool. ii. p. 239. 



The figure of the cedar bird which accompanies this descrip- 

 tion was drawn from a very beautiful specimen, and exhibits 

 the form of its crest when erected, which gives it so gay and 

 elegant an appearance. 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 

 a time. In the months of July and August, they collect to- 

 gether 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, 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, culti- 

 vated parts of the country, to feed on the berries of the sour 

 gum and red cedar, of whicli last they are immoderately fond ; 

 and thirty or forty may sometimes be seen fluttering among 



