429 



LOXIA PYTIOPSITTACUS. THE PARROT 

 CROSSBILL. 



Loxia curvirostra major. Lath. Ind. Orn, I. 371. 



Bec-croise Perroquet ou des Sapins. Loxia Pytiopsittacus. Temm. Man. 

 d'Orn. I. 324. IIL 



Length about eight inches^ wing from flexure four and a thirds 

 bill seven twelfths in height at the base^ of about the same length 

 as the tarsus, extremely gibbous, its outlines xery convex, the 

 points short, that of the lotcer slightly ascending. Colours and 

 proportions the same as of Loxia europwa. 



The only specimen of this alleged species that I have seen is 

 one, supposed to be Scottish, in the museum of the University 

 of Edinburgh. It is in the yellowish plumage considered as 

 designative of the young male, and although it has been many 

 years on its perch, is still in excellent condition, having been 

 originally full -feathered, although damaged in one of the wings 

 and not very neatly stufted. At first sight it seems very 

 distinct from the common species, on account of the great 

 size and thickness of its bill, especially when a small-billed 

 specimen is placed beside it ; but on comparing it with 

 large individuals, such as the four described in the preced- 

 ing pages, its right to be considered distinct is not so ap- 

 parent. The curvature of the mandibles, however, is much 

 greater, and all the parts are somewhat larger. The wings 

 and tail are precisely similar in form, and the feathers of 

 the body are of the same texture. The tarsi and toes are 

 somewhat larger, but have the same number of scales. The 

 bill is dusky-brown, the edges of the upper, and part of the 

 lower mandible light horn-colour. The general colour of the 

 upper parts is dull greenish-yellow, lighter on the rump, the 



