CEDAR-BIRD. 
143 
found; or even if it were, this would only show more clearly 
the specific difierence of the two, by proving, that climate or 
food could never have produced these differences in either, when 
both retain them, though confined to the same climate. 
But it is not only in the colour of their plumage that these 
two birds differ, but in several important particulars, in their 
manners and habits. The breeding place of the European spe- 
cies is absolutely unknown; supposed to be somewhere about the 
polar regions; from whence, in winter, they make different and 
very irregular excursions to different parts of Europe; seldom 
advancing farther south than the north of England, in lat. 54 ° 
N. and so irregularly, that many years sometimes elapse be- 
tween their departure and reappearance; which in more super- 
stitious ages has been supposed to portend some great national 
calamity. On the other hand, the American species inhabits the 
whole extensive range between Mexico and Canada, and per- 
haps much farther both northerly 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 beautiful specimens of both 
birds in the superb collection of Mr. Charles W. Peale of this 
city, whose magnificent museum is indeed a national blessing, 
and will be a lasting honour 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 does not seem to injure 
their vegetative powers; but rather to promote them, by imbed- 
ding them in k calcareous case, and they are thus transported to 
and planted in various 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 featherd songsters 
they can scarcely be said to take a part. We must therefore 
rank them far below many more homely and minute warblers. 
