BULLFINCH, GREENFINCH, CROSSBILL 2^9 



coniferous trees, amongst which they nest. They 

 are Hvely, restless birds. Early in the spring, even 

 before spring has come, the cock-birds may be 

 heard uttering in a low tone their short, twittering, 

 yet sweet little song ; a performance in which the 

 hen-birds sometimes join. The call-note is a loud 

 and oft-repeated si-si-si; whilst the call between the 

 sexes is a single and prolonged note, somewhat 

 resembling that of the preceding species. The 

 Crossbill is one of the earliest British birds to 

 breed, and its nest may be found from February 

 onwards to April. One brood only is reared in the 

 season, and the bird may probably pair for life. The 

 favourite nesting site is a Scotch fir, sometimes in a 

 crotch near the trunk, sometimes on a flat branch 

 near the extremity, and at heights of from a few 

 feet to fifty feet above the ground. The nest is very 

 similar to that of a Greenfinch or Bullfinch. The 

 eggs are usually four, sometimes five in number, and 

 so closely resemble those of the Greenfinch that a 

 second description is unnecessary here. The food 

 of the Crossbill is composed of insects to some 

 extent in sumrner, but fir-cones, buds, berries, and 

 pips of apples and pears form the greater part. 



