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wintering Robins and Cedar Waxwiugs.
At Belmont. Massachusetts. adjoining Cambridge, where the venerable Wavzrley Oaks are within one of the public reserva~ tions. a bewildering number of birds was found on january 7 and s, 1902. Upon reaching the grounds a very unusual activity in the quiet bird-life of midwinter was at once apparent. Many birds were flitting from bough to hough of the great oaks and the shrubbery hencalh. The subdued cries oi Robins reached the ear. and presently With them. but in closer groups. were Cedar Waxwiugs. They. too, were numerous. and upon a nearer approach many were seen to be in full beauty of plumage. the black markings .aboul the hill strong. the brown of the back rich in shade, the yellow on the under side of the body almost as bright as the tips of the tail feathers. and the dots of scarlet upon the wings clearly discernable. Their pointed crests were well raised above their heads. They showed to a full degree that sleekness of plumage and refined air which are characteristic of the species. And now their ‘wheezy whistlesv were heard, Be» neath the old oaks were privets well hung with berries, and red cedars, In among the houghs of these were many both of the Robins and Cedarhiros. making a satisfying meal. Occasionally from a high branch overhead came a Robin's ‘cheerily. cheep ily. cheerily.’ Now a squad of Cedar- birds makes a rapid sweep through the air and returns to its perch in a tree-top. Now halt a dozen Robins descend to the edge of a small stream. tributary to Beaver creek. and take a plunge. It is a happy company, not at all discouraged by rigors of winter.
their coloration was seen.
There is no suggestion that the season is going hard with them. Voices are cheerful. movements are quick.
But what is the number of each species? At length the Waxwings seem well settled in several smaller close tloelts upon near
trees and can be counted with approximate accuracy. There are seventy-five or eighty. And now the Robins begin to pass in squads from the left to the right across an open space to another group of trees and shrubhery beyond. it the time to get their number. Successiver they go in half~ dozens and twenties. The movement is all Seventy-five. one hundred. have Still they go. One hundred and twenty-three. and there the movement stops. Now snow»Hakes begin to sift down, and a chilling breeze quickcns iron. the north. Notwithstanding there comes to the ear ‘cheerily. cheerily, cheerily,‘ as the ob- server leaves the ground. By afternoon the snow was falling fast. It seemed of inter- est to ascertain whether all these birds were still at the reservation, stout»hearted and
one way. been counted
happy 50 a second trip was made from the city. Yes; they were all there at three o‘clock in the afternoon Again an enu- meration was made. The Cedarbirds
numbered about the same as at noon. The Robins. however. as they repeated a one- direction flight. were reckoned up as one hundred and So not all were seen at the noon hour. just before four o'clock all took wing, both Robins and Waxwingsi They were quickly lost to view in the fast-falling snow. Were they seeking some well~proved thick covert for the night? No longer could one be seen or heard. In the following forenoon, under skies still clouded and with five inches of newly fallen snow underfoot, a third trip to the ‘Oak:‘ was made, to see if these flocks were repeating the visit of the day before. Yes; they were there again in full numbers. The Cedarlfirds seemed to be rather more numerous and to be quite a hundred. The Robins reckoned up. as the first time, about a hundred antl twenty-five The privet berries were still in ample supply. The little stream flowed between snowy banks and afforded the same bathing facilities, which the Robins were again utilizing. To
seventy-seven.
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