S THE NESTS AND EGGS OF 



in lat. 55^. Its southern breeding range is not very 

 minutely determined, but certainly descends in the 

 valley of the Yenesay as low as lat. 63° ; and according 

 to Dybowsky, includes the mountain forests near Lake 

 Baikal. 



Breeding habits : It is not a little remarkable that 

 the breeding habits of such a fairly well-known bird as 

 the European White-winged Crossbill are almost com- 

 pletely unknown and undescribed. Its haunts are ac- 

 cessible, and have been well explored by many competent 

 naturalists. The reason for this want of knowledge is 

 probably due to the fact that the bird is a very early 

 breeder, and has finished nesting before the northern 

 forests are free from snow, or visited by travellers. A 

 specimen of the nest of this Crossbill, which was sent 

 to Mr. Dresser from Archangel, is described by that 

 naturalist as smaller than that of the Common Crossbill 

 and somewhat slighter in structure, which amounts to 

 no description at all, and deserves to be pilloried as a 

 fine example of slipshod work and opportunity neglected. 



Range of egg colouration and measurement : 

 Precisely similar remarks apply to the description of the 

 eggs of this Crossbill ; for to state that they are smaller 

 and rather darker in colour than those of the Common 

 Crossbill is a most unsatisfactory statement. Period of 

 incubation unknown. 



Diagnostic characters : In the absence of any 

 trustworthy specimens of the eggs of this species, I am 

 not prepared to say v/hether they may or may not be 

 distinguished from those of allied species. 



The Parrot C\<.0'ti'^'^\\A.{Loxia pityopsittacus),\ may 

 here remark, is merely a race of the Common Crossbill, 

 not recognized, even sub-specifically, by recent writers. 



