three inches. The diameter of the cavity varies from two and three-fourths to three and one-eighth in- 
ches, and its depth from one and one-half to two and one-half inches. 
EGGS: 
The complement of eggs is four or five, four being the usual number. They vary in long-diameter from 
.80 to .91, and in short-diameter from .57 to .67. The largest egg in ten sets measures .91 x .60, the 
smallest, .82 x .57. The common size is about .88 x .60. The ground-color of the shell is generally 
moderately tinted with bluish-green, but occasionally with blne-grav or slate-color, and still less frequently 
it is clouded by a wash of brown. The markings consist of well-defined dots and specks of sepia, so 
heavily laid on as to appear black. On some eggs the marks are distributed sparingly, but quite regu- 
larly, over the whole shell. On some they wreath around the base, while on others, and this is the usual 
pattern, they are scattered in small coalescent groups here and there over the surface. Considerable 
space generally separates the dots from each other, and it is exceptional to find more than two or three 
marks that are confluent. The deep shell-marks are often nearly as numerous as surface marks, and 
occasionally more plentiful. Their color is neutral tint of more or less intensity, according to their depth. 
DIFFERENTIAL POINTS: 
See table. 
REMARKS: 
The nest illustrated, Plate LIT, was taken July 20th, 1883, from a small elm tree within twenty 
yards of Mr. Samuel Evans’ residence, on Pickaway Plains. It was about fifteen feet from the ground, 
and opposite a second-stoiy window, from Avhich point a good view of it could be obtained. It is com- 
posed principally of split weed-stems, fine rootlets, dead-leaves of the elm, strings, and a hunch of linen 
ravelings. The lining differs from the foundation and superstructure only in being made of the best 
quality of the materials. The coarsest weed-stems and rootlets are exterior, the finest within. The exter- 
nal diameter is about four and three-fourths inches. The diameter of the cavity about three and one- 
quarter inches, the depth, one and three-fourths inches. The eggs figured represent the common sizes, 
shapes, and markings — the center one is perhaps nearest the average in all respects. 
The Cedarbird is of beautiful form and feather, and is especially attractive on account of its handsome 
crest and “wax-tipped” secondaries. The vermilion wax-like tips are most plentiful on old birds, and, in 
very fine specimens, are not limited to the secondaries, but may be found also on the tail feathers. In two 
instances I have found four secondaries beautifully tipped in nestlings. The Cedarbird is said to have a 
very low song; ordinarily, it utters hut a single note, a squeaking whistle of high pitch and peculiar tim- 
ber. Its domestic life is largely a pantomime show. The billing and cooing is carried on with but an oc- 
casional word, and the young are apparently deaf and dumb. I visited the nest illustrated several times 
before the little ones were out, and found each time the parents absent. At one visit 1 hunted the 
neighboring trees, and soon espied the pair, but could not induce either bird to show itself by threaten- 
ing to take their home. I have frequently taken the eggs of this species without the parents making 
the slightest resistance, and at other times they have been very demonstrative. Their intelligence is of 
low order. They are great gormandizers — fearless when hungry, and stupid when satiated. They destroy 
immense quantities of cherries and small berries; and thousands are. shot every year by fruit-growers, 
who are not far sighted enough to see that the large crops are often due to the Cedarbird, which, in sea- 
sons of the year when berries are wanting, feed upon destructive insects, or their eggs and larvae. 
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