CEDAR BIRD. 10 y 



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,f 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.J 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 havoc among the early 



* 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 moun- 

 tain ash, and one or two killed near Carlisle, which I had an opportunity 

 of examining, were literally crammed with hollyberries. " The appe- 

 tite 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 sometimes 

 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 flycatchers, 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 become 

 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 birds is sometimes sent as a Christmas present." 

 —P. 223.— Ed. 



t 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. 



% Hist. Av. Nov. Hisp. 55, , 



