or NEW ENGLAND. 171 



ashy-lilac ; is regularly or rather slightly elongate-oval, the 

 small end rather obtuse. It measures '80 of an inch in length 

 by -56 in breadth." 



(c). The White-winged Crossbills are much rarer here than 

 the Red Crossbills, since they habitually reside in more northern 

 countries, though, indeed, on the authority of Mr. Deane and 

 Mr. Brewster said to be " common at Umbagog in June, 1870, 

 and at Franconia in summer." '*" They are seldom seen in 

 Massachusetts, though occasionally common in winter, and 

 known to migrate much further to the southward. So far as I 

 have had opportunities to observe, they resemble closely in 

 their habits the other species, feeding chiefly upon the seeds of 

 our evergreens, both obtaining these and climbing dexterously, 

 and sometimes seeking food upon the ground, having a par- 

 tiality for saline matter. Mr. Maynard says that they feed 

 " upon the seeds of beach-grass," "at Ipswich, Massachusetts," 

 and that he "obtained a specimen on June 13, 1866, which 

 was shot on an apple-tree in Newtonville," and was "filled 

 with canker- woi'ms." ^''' This, says Mr. Allen, was " a male in 

 fine breeding plumage," and therefore it is possible that these 

 birds may occasionally breed in this State, though at the same 

 time it is possible that the specimen in question may have 

 wandered from the North, having previously reared his young 

 in April or May. Instances of equally strange freaks among 

 birds have been known to occur, such as wandering more than 

 a thousand miles from a regular habitat. It is to be remarked 

 that these instances take place almost wholly at the time of 

 the migrations in autumn or early winter.^s 



(cZ). The song of the White-winged Crossbills, says Dr. 

 Brewer, is " irregular and varied, but sweet and musical." 

 These birds have a plaintive cry, distinct from the notes of 

 the Red Crossbill. 



^^ C. J. Maynarrl, 5otli species (p. 16, pamphlet), " Birds of Coos Co., N. H.," etc. 

 4' "The Naturalist's Guide," pp. 111-3. 



^^For example, the occun-euce iu M'assachusetts of the Varied Thrush, Lark 

 Finch, and Gray King-bird. 



