SONG-BIRDS. Mazda

before me is a male in full plumage, who came to an un- timely end by flying against a treacherous wire trellis. Nowhere except in the black frontlet, the tail, and wing tips does he show a distinct colour demarcation; all the rest of the feathers are tinted like a skilful blending of water-colours. The Cedar Waxwings only remain in pairs ‘ during the breeding-season (from late May until August), and at other times travel in flocks. It is only when in these flocks that they are conspicuous about the garden and old pastures; for when they are nesting they are very shy and stealthy in their movements.

Last May a flock of fifty or more lodged for a whole morn- ing in a half-dead ash tree, near the house, so that seated at ease, I could focus my glass carefully, and watch them at leisure. They were as solemn as so many demure Quakers sitting stifliy in rows; once in a while they shifted about, and then seemed to do a great deal of apologizing for fan« cied jostlings. Their movements interested me greatly, until finally, to my surprise, I saw an illustration of the old story of their extreme politeness in passing food to one another, which I had always regarded as a pretty bit of fiction. A stout green worm (for they eat animal as well as vegetable food) was passed up and down a row of eight birds; once, twice it went the rounds, until' half way on its third trip it became a wreck and dropped to the ground, so that no one enjoyed it,—a commentary, in general, upon useless ceremony. I could not help wondering, however, whether it was all disinterested politeness, or whether the worm was of a variety repugnant to Cedanbirds; as Hamlet put it, “Caviare to the general.”

FAMILY HIRUNDINIDIE: SWALLOWS.

Purple Martin: Prague subis.

PLATE 23. Length: 7.50 inches.

Male and Female: Deep, glossy, bluish purple, turning to black on wings and tail. which is forked. Bill dark ; feet black. Female more brownish and mottled, below grayish white.

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