262 THE CROSSBILL. 



this natural trowel. The hole they usually leave for ingress and egress 

 is so small, that it seems impossible that such a square-formed stout bird 

 can pass through it, but this they manage somehow, certainly allowing 

 themselves as little room as may be. Having paid this attention to their 

 defensive outworks, the nest is as carelessly put together as you please, 

 consisting of grass and feathers, much like a Bank Martin's; in this nest 

 five eggs are usually found, which are like the Wryneck's, white. 



This bird seems to court observation instead of avoiding it, as in the 

 case of the Woodpeckers, as well by its loud sonorous voice, as its active 

 habits, for it runs over and under the smallest twigs with the greatest 

 ease, and is perpetually in motion except when it finds a nut to crack, 

 and then, like some restless people that are found in the world, it is 

 quiet enough till it has despatched that business, and then it is off again 

 in search of fresh matter to discuss. I often think its life must be a 

 very hard one; for observe the Titmouse, the Willow Wren, or any of that 

 small flitting class; it is true they appear to be constantly in motion, but 

 they are hanging motionless half their time at least, to some catkins or 

 fir-apple, picking out the seeds or insects. Look again at the Woodpecker 

 tribe, they indeed are constantly on the hunt for insect food, but then 

 they merely cling to the bodies of trees, and their motions when they 

 shift their position, are extremely laboured and awkward. As for the 

 Wryneck, he sits almost motionless on the grey limb of some old tree, 

 from which he is scarcely to be distinguished, his plumage bears so great 

 a resemblance to it. No activity but that of the Swallow tribe can equal 

 that of the Nuthatch. I do not think there is much difference between 

 the cock and hen; if anything she is lighter than he in colour, and less 

 in size. 



THE CROSSBILL. 



BY 0. S. ROUND, ESQ. 



This is a rare bird in England, and as it has very seldom bred with 

 us, we know almost nothing of its nidification. I believe in the aggregate 

 that great numbers visit us annually, but then they confine themselves to 

 large pine shrubberies, which are only found in the heathy tracts of the 

 country, and so the cultivated districts see nothing of them. Having re- 

 sided for several years among Scotch fir plantations, I have had good 

 opportunities of observing them, and have shot a good many at different 

 times; I have some preserved specimens by me while I write. They vary 

 so much in plumage that I do not think I ever procured two exactly 

 alike; however these must be only regarded as varieties of five distinct 

 stages of feathers, which I look upon to be these, namely, old cock 



