462 
BOHEMIAN WAXWING. 
Europe, and were seen near Edinburgli in the first days of 
that year. 
What extent of country they inhabit or frequent in this 
continent, and whether numerous or not, we are unable to 
state. The specimen here figured was obtained, together with 
others, from the northwestern range of the Rocky Mountains, 
and the species appears to spread widely, as we have been 
credibly informed by hunters that cedar-birds of a large 
kind’’ have been shot a little beyond the Mississippi, at a very 
great distance from the spot where ours were obtained. Thus 
does this species extend its range round the whole earth, from 
the coasts of Europe eastwardly to the Rocky Mountains in 
America, and we are at a loss to conceive why it should never 
have been observed on this side of the Mississippi. 
Very little is known of the peculiar habits of this elegant 
bird. It assembles in large flocks, and feeds on different kinds 
of juicy berries, or on insects, which during summer constitute 
their principal food. In common with manj/^ other birds, they 
are fond of the berries of the mountain-ash and phytolacca, 
are extremely greedy of grapes, and also, though in a less de- 
gree, of juniper and laurel berries, apples, currants, figs, and 
other fruits. They drink often, dipping in their bill repeat- 
edly. Besides their social disposition, and general love of 
their species, these birds appear susceptible of individual at- 
tachment, as if they felt a particular sentiment of benevolence, 
even independent of reciprocal sexual attraction. Not only 
do the male and female caress and feed each other, but the 
same proofs of mutual kindness have been observed between 
individuals of the same sex. This amiable disposition, so 
agreeable for others, often becomes a serious disadvantage to 
its possessor. It always supposes more sensibility than energy, 
more confidence than penetration, more simplicity than pru- 
dence, and precipitates these, as well as nobler victims, into 
the snares prepared for them by more artful and selfish beings. 
Hence they are stigmatized as stupid, and, as they keep gene- 
