108 



CEDAR-BIRD 



far south as Mexico, as appears from the accounts of Fernandez, 

 Seba, and others.^ Fernandez saw them near Tetzeuco, and calls 

 them Coqiiantotl; says they delight to dwell in the mountainous 

 parts of the country; and that their flesh and song are both indif- 

 ferent.t 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 twenty-fifth of May appear in 

 numerous parties, making great havock among the early cherries, 

 selecting the best and ripest of the fruit. Nor are they easily inti- 

 midated by the presence of Mr. Scarecrow; for I have seen a flock 

 deliberately feasting on the fruit of a loaded cherry tree, while on 

 the same tree one of these guardian angels, and a very formidable 

 one too, stretched his stiffened arms, and displayed his dangling 

 legs, with all the pomposity of authority ! At this time of the sea- 

 son most of our resident birds, and many of our summer visitants, 

 are sitting, or have young; while even on the first of June, the eggs 

 in the ovary of the female Cedar-bird are no larger than mustard 

 seed ; and it is generally the eighth or tenth of that month before 

 they begin to build. These last are curious circumstances, which 

 it is difficult to account for, unless by supposing, that incubation is 

 retarded by a scarcity of suitable food in spring; berries and other 

 fruit being their usual fare. In May before the cherries are ripe, 

 they are lean, and little else is found in their stomachs than a few 

 shrivelled cedar berries, the refuse of the former season, and a few 

 fragments of beetles and other insects, which do not appear to be 

 their common food; but in June, while cherries and strawberries 



* The figure of this bird in Seba's voluminous work is too wretched for criticism ; it is 

 there called " Oiseau Xomotl, d'Araerique, huppee." Seb. II, p. 66, t. 65, fig. 5, 

 t Hist. Av. Nov. Hisp. 55. 



