THE RECEIST REMARKABLE VISITATION OF CROSSBILLS 217 



Northumberland, Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Essex, Kent, 

 Middlesex, Surrey, Sussex, Herefordshire, Devon, Cheshire, 

 and Lancashire. 



As to the food of these birds in the Scottish localities 

 visited, few of which would afford their usual diet, it is inter- 

 esting to relate the makeshifts that had to be resorted to. 

 At Lerwick they were observed plucking daisies and feeding 

 on the yellow centres of the flowers. At Fair Isle they fed 

 on flowers and berries (last year's) growing on the high 

 ground. At the Flannans they fed on the sea-pinks. In 

 the garden at Wick they scooped the Green-fly off the 

 shoots of the roses in a remarkable manner. Birds obtained 

 at Fair Isle late in July were described as being as fat as 

 butter. 



These invaders swooped down upon our isles and shores 

 from Northern Europe. This is certain, for a number of 

 specimens received by me from various localities all belonged 

 to the continental race, which is readily distinguished from 

 the native Scottish bird by its smaller size and more slender 

 bill. If further evidence were necessary to prove the origin 

 of the visitors, it is afforded by the fact that among the 

 flocks at Fair Isle and the Flannans, adult males of the 

 Two-barred Crossbill {Loxia bifasciatd) were detected and 

 obtained. This rare visitor to our islands is a native of 

 Northern Prussia and Siberia, and it is highly probable that 

 it was present among the parties of the common species in 

 fair numbers. 



It is difficult to say what can have caused the birds 

 to simultaneously quit the northern pine forests, and induced 

 them to embark upon such adventurous voyages. We must 

 look to our continental friends for the explanation, if such 

 be possible. It is certain that some widespread incentive 

 has influenced the birds, and caused this vast outpouring 

 from their native haunts. The numerous birds reported 

 would form a mere tithe of those which found their w^ay 

 to our islands, and many must have perished at sea. One 

 came on board the fishery steamer " Goldseeker," in a dead- 

 tired state, 95 miles E. by S.|^S. of Anskerry Light, Orkney, 

 on July I 2th, and allowed itself to be captured.-^ 



^ Mr. John M'Kenzie in litt. 



