270 
BOMBYCILLA CAROLINENSIS. 
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 particu- 
lars, in their manners and habits. The breeding place 
of the European species is absolutely unknown ; sup- 
posed to be somewhere about the polar regions; from 
whence, in winter, they make different and very irre- 
gular 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 some- 
times 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 useful- 
ness 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, 
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