OUR HOME BIRDS. 
239 
tive enemies which infest them, the small caterpillars 
and other insects ; these constituting as yet their only 
food. For hours at a time they may be seen feeding 
on the despoiling canker-worms which infest our fruit 
tr§es and elms. After feeding they sit dressing their 
feathers in little clusters of five or six in number/ 
“ These little birds are noted for the gentleness of 
their disposition, their innocence of character, ex- 
treme sociability, love of freedom, and a constant 
desire of wandering. 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. Their very affection for each 
other is thus the cause of their ruin. 
“ There is something unusually pretty and touch- 
ing in the manners of the cedar-birds among them- 
selves ; for although they are represented as being 
so fond of eating, they are as polite as the best-bred 
people about appropriating a scarce dainty. They 
have been seen sitting in their favorite row, fairly 
touching each other in their friendliness, and watch- 
ing perhaps for insects, w hen one of the party wDuld 
make a successful snatch at an unwary fly or pounce 
perhaps on some unsuspecting worm, and instead of 
swallowing it offer the choice morsel to his next 
neighbor. Neither could he bring himself to dispose 
of the only refreshment, but politely urged it upon 
