Constitutional Peculiarities of Migratory Birds. 153 



had left. No doubt, therefore, such occurrences are frequent 

 when the cold sets in unusually early. Thus, looking at such 

 migratory birds as the robin and chipping sparrow, which 

 come in early, and are the very last to depart, we may readily 

 suppose that they will increase and multiply quicker, and 

 oxtend their geographical limits further than such as the 

 waxwing. It is a matter, in fine, of constitution and food ; so 

 that provide*d both are equal to the maintenance of the 

 creature, so is it likely to flourish and rear a healthy and 

 numerous progeny. But these are naturally hardy birds, and 

 feed on fruits and seeds ; therefore their braving the climate is 

 not so surprising as the case of such pretty little warblers as S. 

 cestiva and maculosa, which, of all the insectivorous migrants, 

 arrive the earliest and are the last to depart. These hardy 

 songsters are therefore not only the most numerous, but have 

 extended their range further than their less adventurous allies. 

 The two Waxwings — to wit, the Carolina and Bohemian 

 chatterers — exactly reverse their visits to this region ; the 

 former comes in vast flocks in June, whilst the other appears 

 only occasionally in midwinter ; it is, in fact, an accidental 

 visitor ; * moreover, the latter is a native of boreal regions, 

 whilst the Carolina waxwings belong to more genial climates. 

 According to Swainson,f the chatterers derive their nourish- 

 ment almost exclusively from vegetable food ; and doubtless 

 this is true to a great extent ; but I have repeatedly observed 

 the Carolina waxwing, or cedar bird, in June, employed for 

 hours in pursuing insects like flycatchers, more especially in the 

 waste country, where flocks may be seen among the decayed 

 pines, for the reason that the soft berries were not then ripe. 

 The ornaments, like red sealingwax, in both species, are shown 

 off to great advantage by the male cedar bird during the breed- 

 ing season ; then it is a pretty sight to witness him making love, 



* Individuals have been obtained as far south as Fort Riley, on the Mis- 

 sissippi. Baird, Pacific Railway Report, vol. ix., p. 317. 

 f Swainson's Birds, Cabi)iet Cyclopcedia, vol. ii., p. 71. ' 



