208 



CITIZEN BIRD 



" These two birds, though alike in shape, are as dif- 

 ferent in color as Mr. and Mrs. Scarlet Tanager. But 

 there is one point about them b}^ Avhich you may tell 

 them from any otliers. Their curving bills are crossed 



at the tip, which strange 

 arrangement gives them 

 their name of Crossbill. 

 At a little distance you 

 might mistake them 

 for Paroquets, but 

 only the upper half 

 of a Paroquet's 

 beak is curved, and 

 it closes over the under 

 half ; while both parts 

 of the Crossbill's beak 

 •e curved, and they cross 

 ich other at the tip like 

 pair of scissors that do 

 )t close properly. 

 Av and Avhere do you 

 these birds build their 

 such a cold season ? " 

 " Make a burrow in the snow, 

 perhaps," said Dodo. 

 " Go into a haystack or under 

 a shed," said Nat. 



" Or a hole in a tree," added Rap. 



" No, the Crossbill does not place his nest in any of 



these ways. Tie chooses a thick evergreen tree, and upon 



the fork of one of the branches makes a little platform 



of rubbish to support the nest. With great care the 



American Crossbill. 



