1 1 2 CEDAR BIRD. 



England, in lat. 54° N., and so irregularly, that many years 

 sometimes elapse between their departure and reappearance, 

 which, in more superstitious ages, has been supposed to portend 

 some great national calamity. On the other hand, the Ameri- 

 can species inhabits the whole extensive range between Mexico 

 and Canada, and perhaps much farther both northerly and 

 southerly, building and rearing their young in all the inter- 

 mediate regions, often in our gardens and orchards, within a 

 few yards of our houses. Those of our fellow-citizens who 

 have still any doubts, and wish to examine for themselves, 

 may see beautiful specimens of both birds in the superb col- 

 lection of Mr Charles W. Peale of Philadelphia, whose 

 magnificent museum is indeed a national blessing, and will 

 be a lasting honour to his memory. 



In some parts of the country they are called crown birds ; 

 in others, cherry birds, from their fondness for that fruit. 

 They also feed on ripe persimmons, small winter grapes, bird 

 cherries, and a great variety of other fruits and berries. The 

 action of the stomach on these seeds and berries does not seem 

 to inj ure their vegetative powers ; but rather to promote them, 

 by imbedding them in a calcareous case, and they are thus 

 transported to and planted in various and distant parts by 

 these little birds. In other respects, however, their usefulness 

 to the farmer may be questioned ; and in the general chorus 

 of the feathered songsters they can scarcely be said to take a 

 part. We must, therefore, rank them far below many more 

 homely and minute warblers, their neighbours, whom Provi- 

 dence seems to have formed both as allies to protect the 

 property of the husbandman from devouring insects, and as 

 musicians to cheer him, while engaged in the labours of the 

 field, with their innocent and delightful melody. 



