Mr. Yarrell on the Beak of the CrossbilL 459 



the ripe fruit of the Pandanus odoratissimus, carried by some boys, 

 drew many of these animals to the spot. One that had been caught 

 and tied by the leg, though blindly striving to get free with unavailing 

 diligence, forgot its fears and embarrassment when a piece of that fruit 

 was held at the distance of a yard or two from it, and eagerly pawed 

 after the odourous morsel ; which having obtained, and finding its 

 gyves loosened, it began forthwith to hasten away, holding the booty 

 firmly in its mouth. 



One of them being thrown by the sailors into the sea, laboured some 

 time to keep its head above water and reach the shore ; but finding all 

 attempts vain, it quietly resumed its wonted position of rest, and re- 

 signed itself to a watery death. When cast upon a raft by the same un- 

 feeling hands, it made some attempts to suspend itself from a projection, 

 without dipping its head into the water, but perceiving its efforts to be 

 useless, it abandoned the float, and swam pertinaciously after the boat, 

 deeming that it saw some object at a distance which would afford a com- 

 fortable resting-place. 



When thirsty, it descends a tree on the margin of the rill, and after 

 sipping a little refreshment, re-ascends the trunk, and takes its departure 

 from the branches. 



Those which were taken on board and confined, did not discover any 

 sign of fear, and ate without repining the fruit that was given them ; 

 and on their being set at liberty they climbed to the highest parts of 

 the rigging, and there found a convenient place for repose. 



Art. LVII. On the structure of the Beak and its muscles 

 in the Crossbill, (Loxia curvirostra) Bj/ William 

 Yarrell, Esq., F.L.S., ^c. 



The peculiar formation and direction of the parts of the beak in the 

 Crossbill, its anomalous appearance, as well as the particular and power- 

 ful manner in which it is exercised, had long excited in me a desire to 

 examine the structure of an organ so curious ; and the kindness of a friend 

 has lately supplied me with an opportunity. 



