112 



CEDAR-BIRD. 



and habits. The breeding place of the European species is abso- 

 lutely unknown; supposed to be somewhere about the polar re- 

 gions ; from whence, in winter, they make different and very irre- 

 gular excursions to different parts of Europe; seldom advancing 

 farther south than the north of England, in lat. 54® N. and so irre- 

 gularly, that many years sometimes elapse between their depar- 

 ture and reappearance; which in more superstitious ages has been 

 supposed to portend some great national calamity. On the other 

 hand, the American species inhabits the whole extensive range be- 

 tween Mexico and Canada, and perhaps much farther both nor- 

 therly and southerly, building and rearing their young in all the 

 intermediate 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 beau- 

 tiful specimens of both birds in the superb collection of Mr. Charles 

 W. Peale of this city, whose magnificent museum is indeed a na- 

 tional blessing, and will be a lasting honor 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 do not seem to injure their vegetative 

 powers ; but rather to promote them, by imbedding them in a cal- 

 careous case, and they are thus transported to and planted in va- 

 rious 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 in- 

 nocent and delightful melody. 



