106 
CEDAR BIRD. 
CEDAR BIRD — AMPELIS AMERICANA Plate VII. Fig. 1. 
Ampelis garrulus, Linn. Syst. i. 297, 1. f3- ■ — Bombycilla Carolinensis, Brisson, ii. 
337, 1. Id. 8vo. i. 251. — Chatterer of Carolina, Catesb. i. 46. — Arct. Zool. ii. 
No. 207. — Lath. Syn. iii. 93, 1, a. — Edw. 242. — Cook's Last Voyage , ii. 518. 
— Ellis's Voyage , ii. 13. — Peale's Museum, No. 5608. 
BOMBYCILLA AMERICANA. — Swainson. 
Le jaseur du c&dre, Bombycilla cedorum, Vieill. Gal. des Ois. pi. cxviii. p. 186. — 
Bombycilla Carolinensis, Bonap. Synop. p. 59. — Bombycilla Americana, North. 
Zool. ii. p. 239. 
The figure of the Cedar Bird which accompanies this 
description was drawn from a very beautiful specimen ; and 
exhibits the form of its crest when erected, which gives it so 
gay and elegant an appearance. At pleasure it can lower and 
contract this so closely to its head and neck as not to be 
observed. The plumage of these birds is of an exquisitely 
fine and silky texture, lying extremely smooth and glossy. 
Notwithstanding the name Chatterers given to them, they are 
perhaps the most silent species we have ; making only a feeble, 
lisping sound, chiefly as they rise or alight. 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. In the months of July and August, 
they collect together in flocks, and retire to the hilly parts of 
the state, the Blue Mountains, and other collateral ridges of 
the Alleghany, to enjoy the fruit of the Vaccinium uliginosum, 
whortleberries, which grow there in great abundance ; whole 
mountains, for many miles, being almost entirely covered with 
them ; and where, in the month of August, I have myself 
found the Cedar Birds numerous. In October they descend to 
the lower, cultivated parts of the country, to feed on the 
berries of the sour gum and red cedar, of which last they are 
immoderately fond; and thirty or forty may sometimes be 
