American and White-Winged Crossbills 273 



Ralph Hoffmann dcscrihcs the i all-note of the Red Crus>l)ill a^ a "loud 

 kip-kip, kip-kip-kip, ver\- like a note made by young chickens," but to me it 

 has a more metallic quality. 



If one has no evergreens immediatel\- ab )ut the house, the Crossbills mas- 

 be coaxed to come near by fastening ears of the small kerneled ■•i))|)corn" 

 firmly to conspicuous branches or even by unsalted popcorn balls. As might be 

 expected, a bird of such unique construction has given rise to many specula- 

 tions, some scientific, others legendary and sentimental, as to its origin. If its 

 beak is a development to meet food conditions, will it be gradually modified bv 

 the cutting down of the forests of conifers? Or will it slip away with other 

 extinct species like the .\uk and the I^abrador Duck? 



Questions for Teachers and Students 



(i) Describe the bill of the Crossbill. (2) How does the bird use it? (3) Describe 

 the plumage of the American Crossbill. (4) How does the adult male differ from the 

 female? (5) What is the range of the Crossbills? (6) Do they come to us regularly? 

 (7) What is their food? (8) .\t what season do they nest? 



