CEDAR-BIRD. 
47 
fine and silky texture, lying extremely smooth and glossy. Notwith- 
standing the name Chatterers given to them, they are perhaps the most 
silent species we have; making only a feeble, lisping sound, chiefly as 
they rise or alight. They fly in compact bodies, of from twenty to fifty ; 
and usually alight so close together on the same tree, that one half are 
frequently shot down at a time. In the months of July and August, 
they collect together in flocks, and retire to the hilly parts of the state, 
the Blue Mountains and other collateral ridges of the Alleghany, to enjoy 
the fruit of the Vaeeinium irfiginosum, whortle-berries, which grow 
there in great abundance ; whole mountains, for many miles, being al- 
most entirely covered with them ; and where in the month of August 
I have myself found the Cedar-birds numerous. In October they 
descend to the lower cultivated parts of the country, to feed on the 
berries of the sour gum, and red cedar, of which last they are immoder- 
ately fond ; and thirty or forty may sometimes be seen fluttering among 
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, and others.* Fernandez saw them near Tetzeuco, 
and calls them Coquantotl ; says they delight to dwell in the mountain- 
ous parts of the country ; and that their flesh and song are both 
indifferent.*)" Most of our epicures here, are, however, of a different 
opinion, as to their palatableness ; for in the fall, and beginning of sum- 
mer, 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 Avhole winter and spring they are occasionally seen ; and about the 
twenty-fifth of May appear in numerous parties, making great havoc 
among the early cherries, selecting the best and ripest of the fruit. Nor 
are they easily intimidated 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 formi- 
dable one too, stretched his stiffened arms, and displayed his dangling 
legs, with all the pomposity of authority ! At this time of the season 
most of our resident birds, and many of our summer visitants, are sit- 
ting, 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 ac- 
count for, unless by supposing, that incubation is retarded by a scarcity 
of suitable food in spring ; berries and other fruit being their usual 
* 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. n., p. 66, t. 65, fig. 5. 
f Hist. Av. Nov. Hisp. 55. 
