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Range (North America breeds) (X)

North America; breeds from Virginia and the highlands of South Carolina north to Labrador; winters from the northern United States to Central America.

Washington, very common P. R., less so in winter. Sing Sing, common P. R. Cambridge, not common P. R., common S. R., abundant T. V. in spring, Feb. 1 to Apl. 25.

Nest, bulky, of strips of bark, leaves, grasses, twigs, rootlets, moss, and sometimes mud, lined with finer materials of the same nature, in fruit or shade trees, five to twenty feet up. Eggs, three to five, pale bluish gray or putty color, distinctly and obscurely spotted with black or umber, 88 x 62. When the spring migration is over and the home birds have gone to nest-building, small flocks of Goldfinches and Waxwings-two peculiarly gentle, attractive birds-may still be seen wandering about the country. The squads of Cedar-birds fly evenly, on a level with the tree tops, in close ranks, often of five, seven, or nine. Frequently, when under full headway, they suddenly wheel and dive down to an apple tree for a meal of canker worms.

In following the beautiful Waxwings about one listens in vain for a song, but soon comes to relish their two peculiar calls-a hushed whistle and the subdued call Thoreau describes as their "beady note," a succession of short notes strung together-for they both seem to harmonize with the quiet reserve of the delicately tinted birds. In July, when the wandering flocks are no longer seen, a walk through the neighboring orchards may show where both tardy builders have at last gone to nesting, and few bird homes afford pictures of such human tenderness and devotion. If there is an evergreen in the vicinity, the Cedar-bird mounts guard upon its tip, but occasionally relieves the monotony of his watch by flying up in the air for light luncheons of passing insects.

The strong individuality of the Waxwings make them interesting birds to the field student. The use of their crests in expressing emotion, and the protective attitudes they assume when watched at their nests, throw much light upon bird psychology.

To the bird-lover, however, the Cedar-birds have their own attraction; their proverbially gentle, refined ways make them seem superior creatures of the air to whom he can but yield his affection. I shall never forget a pair that I once found by a clear mountain lake. They were perched upon two evergreen spires that guarded a silent bay, whose dark water was gilded by the lingering light of the setting sun.