234 EGGS OF BRITISH BIRDS. 



THE COMMON CKOSSBILL. 



(Loxia curvirostra . ) 



Plate 56, Figs. 1, 2. 



The Common Crossbill has been known to breed in many of the 

 English counties, but is more often found nesting in Scotland, 

 and its nest has been taken by Mr. R. J. Usher in co. Waterford, 

 in Ireland. It frequently occurs as a winter migrant in different 

 parts of Great Britain. The species breeds in most of the pine 

 forests of the Palrcarctic region, in Norway occasionally ranging 

 north of the Arctic circle, but in Russia not nesting to the north 

 of lat. 64°. The large-billed form, commonly called the " Parrot" 

 Crossbill, is principally found in Scandinavia, but has occurred 

 occasionally in the British Islands. 



The favourite position for the nest seems to be almost at the top 

 of a pine tree, in the cup formed by the forking of the branches ; 

 but it is not unfrequently built on a horizontal branch, at some 

 distance from the trunk. It is formed on the same model as the 

 nest of the Bullfinch — an outside nest of sticks, and an inside nest 

 of soft material, the latter rising somewhat higher than the former. 



The usual number of eggs is four, but five are sometimes found. 

 The ground-colour varies from pale greenish-blue to almost white. 

 The overlying spots are dark-brown, principally at the large end ; 

 most of them are very small, but some are as large as No. 10 

 shot, and many elongated into streaks. The underlying spots 

 are pale reddish-brown, but do not differ in size, shape or distri- 

 bution from the overlying ones. The eggs vary in length from 

 0'95 to 0'85 inch, and in breadth from 07 to 0'65 inch. 



THE TWO-BARRED CROSSBILL. 

 (Loxia bifascia ta.) 



Plate 56, Fig. 3. 



The present species inhabits the northern PaLnearctic region 

 from the neighbourhood of Archangel to the Pacific, and has 

 occurred a few times in Great Britain. The American White- 

 winged Crossbill, which is only a form of the European one, has 

 also been obtained in our islands. It breeds in Arctic America 

 from Alaska to Labrador. 



