EUROPEAN CROSSBILL. 421 



wing from flexure S{^ ; tail 2^, extending one inch beyond the 

 wings ; bill in height /j, along the ridge of upper mandible 

 9i twelfths, along the edge of lower j% ; tarsus j% ; first toe 

 /g, its claw j% ; second toe 4 J twelfths, its claw /^ ; third toe 

 j\, its claw j% ; fourth toe 4 J twelfths, its claw j%. 



Female in November. — The adult female does not differ per- 

 ceptibly in form or in the texture of its plumage from the male, 

 but its colouring is different. The bill, irides and feet are as 

 in the male. The upper part of the head, the hind-neck, and 

 fore and middle parts of the back, are light yellowish-grey, 

 mottled w^itli dusky brow^n, the central part of each feather 

 being of the latter colour. The rump is greyish-yellow. The 

 upper small wing-coverts are dusky brow^n tinged with grey, 

 and slightly margined w^ith the latter ; the larger coverts, alula, 

 and quills are blackish-brown, the primaries with a slight 

 edging of yellowish-grey. The tail-feathers are similarly co- 

 loured, their upper coverts greyish-brown. The cheeks are 

 brownish-grey, the lower parts dull grey, tinged with yellow, 

 the feathers on the fore-neck and breast with a central faint 

 brown spot ; the lower tail-coverts dusky, with broad greyish- 

 white edges. 



Length to end of tail 7i inches; extent of wings 11/^ ; 

 wing from flexure 3|| ; tail 2^ ; bill in height at the base /^, 

 in length along the ridge of upper mandible 9j twelfths, along 

 the edge of lower j% ; tarsus j% ; middle toe 7i twelfths, its 

 claw j%. 



The individuals described above, and others observed at the 

 same season, were in perfect plumage, indicating the comple- 

 tion of the moult ; so that the assertion of this bird's changing 

 its plumage in w^inter is of a piece with the other fables told of 

 it. Specimens examined in February and March 1836, shewed 

 no appearance of new plumage. A specimen peculiarly inte- 

 resting, as it shews the summer plumage, with sufficient re- 

 mains of that of winter to demonstrate that the moult takes 

 place in the usual manner, is now before me. 



Male in Summer. — The changes which have taken place in 



