112 
CEDAR BIRD. 
sometimes elapse between their departure and reappearance ; 
which, in more superstitious 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 perhaps 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 Philadelphia, 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 imbedding them in a 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 feathered songsters they can scarcely be said to take a ! 
part. We must, therefore rank them far below many more 
homely and minute warblers, their neighbours, whom Provi- 
dence seems to have formed, both as allies to protect the 
property of the husbandman from devouring insects, and as 
musicians to cheer him, while engaged in the labours of the 
field, with their innocent and delightful melody. 
