CEDAR BIRD. 
107 
seen fluttering among the branches of one small cedar tree, 
plucking off the berries. # They are also found as far south 
as Mexico, as appears from the accounts of Fernandez, Seba,f 
and others. Fernandez saw them near Tetzeuco, and calls 
them Coquantotl ; says they delight to dwell in the mountainous 
parts of the country ; and that their flesh and song are both 
indifferent. $ Most of our epicures here are, however, of a 
different opinion, as to their palatableness ; for, in the fall and 
beginning of summer, when they become very fat, they are 
in considerable esteem for the table ; and great numbers are 
brought to the market of Philadelphia, where they are sold 
from twelve to twenty-five cents per dozen. During the 
whole winter and spring they are occasionally seen; and, 
about the 25th of May, appear in numerous parties, making 
* They appear all to be berry eaters, at least during winter. Those of 
Europe have generally been observed to feed on the fruit of the mountain 
ash, and one or two killed near Carlisle, which I had an opportunity of 
examining, were literally crammed with hollyberries. “ The appetite of the 
Cedar Bird,” Audubon remarks, “ is of so extraordinary a nature as to prompt 
it to devour every fruit or berry that comes in its way. In this manner they 
gorge themselves to such excess as sometimes to be unable to fly, and suffer 
themselves to be taken by the hand ; and I have seen some, which, though 
wounded and confined to a cage, have eaten apples until suffocation deprived 
them of life.” — P. 227. “ But they are also excellent flycatchers, spending 
much of their time in the pursuit of winged insects : this is not, however, 
managed with the vivacity or suddenness of true flycatchers, but with a kind 
of listlessness. They start from the branches, and give chase to the insects, 
ascending after them for a few yards, or move horizontally towards them, and 
as soon as the prey is secured, return to the spot, where they continue 
watching with slow motions of the head. This amusement is carried on 
during evening, and longer at the approach of autumn, when the berries 
become scarce. They become very fat during the season of fruits, and are 
then so tender and juicy as to be sought after by every epicure for the table, — 
a basketful of these birds is sometimes sent as a Christmas present.” — 
P.223. — Ed. 
f The figure of this bird, in Seba’s voluminous work, is too wretched for 
criticism ; it is there called “ Oiseau Xomotl, d’Amerique, huppee.” Seb. ii. 
p. 66, t. 65, fig. 5. 
t Hist. Av. Nov. Hisp. 55. 
