Birds and All Nature, Vol. 5, No. 5, May 1899 Illustrated by Color Photography

The cedar waxwing, often hailed as one of the most elegant birds of North America, is presented here with vivid color photographs that capture the silky texture of its plumage and the subtle crimson tips that adorn its wings and tail. The narrative describes the bird’s courtly bearing, its soft, lisping call, and the almost silent, graceful flight of its tightly knit flocks as they move from orchard to forest in search of food. Readers learn how these gregarious travelers appear and disappear with the seasons, their presence marked more by sudden bursts of activity than by any loud proclamation.

In the second part the article turns to the waxwing’s breeding habits, noting the late‑season nests built in low trees and shrubs, the loosely woven structures lined with grape‑vine bark, and the strikingly patterned bluish‑gray eggs that blend into the nest material. It also details the bird’s adaptable diet—wild berries, seeds, and occasional insects—showing how waxwings can become both allies and nuisances to fruit growers. The piece offers a nuanced view of a bird that shapes the ecosystems it frequents.