FRIXGILLID.E. 



•):\f\ 



SUB-FAMILY VI 1 1. 



LoXIANyE.'"" 



The Crossbills. 



Gen. Chaeac. — Bill more or less broad, but compressed towards the tips, 

 which sometimes cross each other, and curved, or the upper overhanging 

 that of the lower mandible ; the wings more or less lengthened, pointed, and 

 sometimes rounded ; the tail moderate and emarginated, or graduated ; the 

 tarsi short, with the toes moderate. 



if 



Fig. 106 — the coiiiiox crossbill. 

 (Loxia carinrosira.) 



These birds are found in the North of Europe, 

 America, and Asia, migrating in summer to the 

 higher latitudes, where they frequent the great 

 forests of pine and fir trees, the seeds of which 

 form their principal subsistence. These seeds are 

 detached by means of the strong lever they possess 

 in the remarkable formation of their bill, which is 



ilcmfinrj, cross-ivisc ; So called from the shape of 



* \o^6c. loxos, 

 the beak. 



M 9 



