cxlii Ampelid®. BIRDS. Tanaguid.®. 
familiar bird is very extended, reaching over tlie north- 
ern parts of Europe, Asia and America. In America 
it lias not been seen on the Pacific slope. A most 
interesting' account of this bird will be found in North 
American Birds, by Paird, Brewer and llidgway. 
CEDAK-BIRD {Ampelis cedrorum). — 'I'his is a com- 
mon bird in New England, and is found in all parts 
of Norih America. It is unpopular on account of 
its robberies of cherry-trees. It is therefore less 
numerous, and less regular in its visitations. 'I'he 
common name. Cherry-bird, is used in many parts 
of the north. 
SHINING-CRESTED ELY-CATCHER {Phainopepla 
nitem).- — 'I'he “mountainous regions of the southern 
portions of IVestern and Middle Provinces of the 
United States, and south to Orizaba, Gape St. Lucas 
and the plateau of Mexico” are jilaced as the locali- 
ties frequented by this species. It is one only of 
the genus. 
TOWNSEND’S SOLITAIRE {Myiadestes townsendi). 
— This is a western bird, and one that has received 
attention from nearly eveiy ex[)lorer and scientific 
traveler of the plains. Dr. Newberry found it very 
abundant in Des Chutes Basin, where he was at- 
tracted by its new and jileasant song, which he de- 
scribes as “ full, clear and melodious, like that of the 
true Mimus.” 
Family— LAN III) AL 
GREAT NORTHERN SHRIKE (Collyrio horealis).— 
Named Butcher-bird in many parts of the Northern 
States. It is met with in winter at the north, but 
breeds in most northern i-egions. Its food consists 
of mice, small birds, insects, etc., its sharp, hooked 
bill being almost as effective as that of the Hawks. 
Its feet, too, are quite powerful, the claws being re- 
curved and of considerable strength. A singular 
habit is attributed to this bird by all who have 
observed and written concerning him. Lie captures 
at times more jirey than he can easily dispose of, 
and, instead of hoarding it, as in the case of the 
ISlagpie and others, he impales his victims on some 
thorn, bush or briar. Grasshoppers and even small 
birds are found thus jilaced. 'The courage, dash and 
impetuosily of this bird is beyond that of any other 
species, not excepting any of the rapacious tribe. 
He is better known in our large towns as an occa- 
sional bandit. .Some pet Canary has been placed in 
a sunny exposure within the veranda, ; the Butcher- 
bird has ventured in from the neighboring wood, 
gets sight of the yellow songster, and darts, with the 
celerity of an arrow, at the cage ; frequently killing 
the bird by tiie torce of the shock, and, in some in- 
stances, sustaining serious injury himself. 'I’liis 
species is ten inches in length, and thirteen in extent 
of wing. A curious instance is related of his habit 
of impalement by Mr. Bell who, while traveling in 
Itussia, had one kept confined in a room. A sharp- 
ened stick was fastened in the wall, and when small 
birds were let loose within, the Butcher-bird would 
instantly capture them, and, by aid of bill and claws, 
would draw them upon the sharpened stick ; a num- 
ber of victims being served in this manner. 
LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE {Collyrio ludovicianus ). — 
'I'his is Lanius carolinensis of Wilson. It is some- 
what smaller than the preceding, and much darker 
on the back and upper parts. Habitat, Southern 
.States. A variety, robustus, called the White- 
winged Shrike, is known to the Pacific Coast. 
WHITE-RUMPED SHRIKE {Collyrio excuUtoro- 
ides). — A species found in Missouri and on the 
Pacific slope, resembling the Loggerhead Shrike. 
'I'his is regarded as a variety only of the latter. 
Family— CVEREB ID A^. 
BAHAMA CREEPER {Certhiola hahamensis). — 'I'his 
is the only sjiecies in North America which belongs 
to the genus. It is abundant in the Bahamas, and 
is occasionally found in the Florida Keys. 
Family— TAN AGRID A']. 
THE SCARLET TANAGER {Pyranga rw&ra).— 'I'his 
is one of the few brilliantly-colored birds that are 
familiar to the open fields of the New England 
States. The wings and tail being an intense black, 
and the remainder of the body a flaming scarlet, 
renders the bird a most conspicuous object; and, 
though rather solitary, or at least not gregarious to 
any extent, it is, through its wonderfully rich 
plumage, pretty generally known. “Among the 
thick foliage of the tallest trees, his simple and 
almost monotonous notes. Chip, churr ! repeated at 
short intervals, in a pensive tone, may occasionally 
be heard, which ap[iear to proceed from a consider- 
able distance, though the bird be immediately above 
you — a faculty bestowed on him by the beneficent 
Author of Nature, no doubt for his protection, to 
compensate, in a degree, for the danger to which his 
glowing color would often expose him. Among all 
the birds that inhabit our woods, there is none that 
strikes the eye of a stranger, or even a native, with 
so much brilliancy as this.” — ^Yiho1\. 'I'he Scarlet 
'I'anager lueeds in all the New England States. 
Samuels says : “Its song is almost exactly like that 
of the Robin, often broken with a pensive call-note, 
Chij), churr!” It thrives well in confinement. 
SUMMER RED-BIRD {Pyranga (estiva). — 'I'his bril- 
liantly-colored bird is seen mostly in the South 
Atlantic and Gulf .States. Its plumage is entirely of 
a rich vermilion color. M^ilson says : “ In Pennsyl- 
vania they are rare, having myself passed a whole 
summer without seeing one of them ; while, in New 
Jersey, even within a half a mile of the shore oppo- 
site the city of Philadelphia, they may generally be 
found during the season. 'I'he note of the male is a 
strong and sonorous whistle, resembling a loose trill or 
shake on the notes'of the fife, frequently repeated.” 
Du Pralz, in his History of Louisiana, has related 
some particulars of this bird, which have been re- 
peated by almost every subsequent writer on the 
subject, viz. : that it “ inhabits the woods on the 
Mississippi, and collects against winter a vast maga- 
zine of maize, which it carefully conceals with dry 
leaves, leaving oidy a small hole for entrance; and is 
