24 THE NESTS AND EGGS OF BRITISH BIRDS. 



although its distribution during the nesting season in the 

 sister isle is very imperfectly known. It appears to nest 

 in some of the extreme eastern counties from Down to 

 Waterford and Tipperary. Owing to the excessive 

 shyness of this species in the nesting season, its pre- 

 ference for dense conifer plantations, and the early date 

 of laying, there can be little doubt that the Crossbill is 

 much overlooked. 



Breeding habits : The favourite breeding-grounds 

 of the Crossbill are the conifer plantations, the belts 

 and enclosures of Scotch fir, spruce, and larch. It is 

 not improbable that this species pairs for life, but owing 

 to its nomadic habits neither the old nest nor the old 

 locality seem to be visited each season for breeding 

 purposes. The Crossbill, however, is a remarkably 

 social bird, and not only spends the winter in parties in 

 wandering about in quest of food, but during the breed- 

 ing season lives frequently in companies, and several 

 nests may often be found within a comparatively small 

 area. The nest is generally built amongst the foliage of 

 the Scotch fir, a site being selected at various heights 

 from the ground, sometimes as many as forty or fifty 

 feet, at others not more than four or five feet. Nests 

 are far less frequently found in deciduous trees, owing to 

 the fact that the foliage is not out at the time the Cross- 

 bills begin to build. Sometimes the nest is made at a 

 distance from the trunk on a flat branch; at others it is 

 wedged into a fork near the top of the tree. The nest 

 itself very closely resembles one type of that of the 

 Greenfinch, being formed outwardly of twigs loosel}'' 

 twined together, rootlets, and dry grass, and inwardly of 

 wool, fur, and a few feathers and hairs. Sometimes a 

 little moss, lichen, and a few bark strips are employed. 

 The female sits very closely, often allowing herself to 

 be closely scrutinized, or almost touched by the hand, 



