Mr. W. Thompson on the Birds of Ireland. 411 



Notes on the plumage, and sometimes full descriptions from the 

 recent specimens which came under my examination, were drawn up ; 

 but it is sufficient to observe here, that they were in every state from 

 that put on at the first moult to maturity ; by far the greater 

 number were in the bright red plumage : one only (that already no- 

 ticed) displayed the markings of the young previous to the first 

 moult. 



I have not had the gratification of seeing crossbills in a wild state 

 in Ireland; but early in September 1837, my attention was directed 

 to them by Mr. Selby and Sir Wm, Jardine as they were on wing 

 from one plantation to another in the demesne at Twizell and at 

 Chillingham Park, Northumberland. 



Authors generally report the crossbill as arriving in Great 

 Britain in June, but it has mostly been a late autumnal or a 

 winter visitant to Ireland, leaving the country again early in 

 the spring — like other birds of passage. Mr. YarrelFs remark 

 with reference to England, that crossbills " were more abun- 

 dant during the greater part of 1836, 1837, and 1838 than was 

 known for some years before " — might it not be said, than was 

 ever known before in three successive years ? — applies to Ire- 

 land also, as shown in the preceding notes. In endeavouring 

 to account for the cause of the more frequent visits of cross- 

 bills to the British Islands of late years, we should perhaps 

 know in the first place if any change has occurred in their 

 metropolis or chief quarter whence they come ; but, ignorant 

 of this, we can only look at home and see if there be any at- 

 traction for them now that the country was deficient in before. 

 Sir Wm. Jardine observes : u in the south of Scotland at least, 

 where an immense extent of young pine timber has been 

 planted within thirty years, the crossbill has undoubtedly 

 become more common, and we know now remains through 

 the year*." In Ireland likewise, plantations including the 

 Conifer <b, but above all, the larch, have greatly increased within 

 the same period, and may be the means of prolonging the stay 

 of crossbills, or inducing them to remain occasionally through- 

 out the year. And as somewhat corroboratory of this, it may 

 be noticed, that plentiful as these birds were of late years, we 

 have heard but little of damage done to orchards by them as 

 in earlier times, the seed of the Conifera having generally 

 afforded abundance of food. Still, I cannot but think that 

 the primary cause of their more frequent migrations hither 

 must be looked for in their aboriginal abode. A friend of ex- 

 cellent judgement to whom this idea was mentioned, is rather 

 inclined to consider crossbills as a wandering tribe having no 

 proper home, but who pitch their tent and take up their 



• Naturalist's Library, British Birds, vol. ii. p. 340. 



