3 o BRITISH NESTING BIRDS 



CROSSBILL (Loxia curvirostra) 



Local Names. — European Crossbill, European White-Winged Cross- 

 bill, Shell Apple, Shield Apple. 



Haunt. — Woods, forests, large gardens, and plantations. 

 ing Period. — February and March. 



Site of Nest. — Trees, usually near the summit. 



Materials Used. — Fir twigs and dry grass, lined with lichen, hair, 

 fine grass, or wool. 



Eggs. — Four or Five. White or greenish-white, with reddish-brown 

 spots and undermarkings of pale brown. 



Food. — Seeds of the fir and fruit. Very fond of apple pips, hence 

 one of its local names of Shell Apple. 



Voice. — A loud, shrill call-note, and both sexes also utter a low 

 warbling song. 



Chief Features. — The curious crossed bill and handsome plumage of 

 male bird. Nests in the North in the large pine forests, but 

 a regular Southern visitor in Winter. A very sociable bird. 



Plumage. — The tail feathers and those of the wings are brown ; 

 whilst the other parts are yellow, green, orange, and tile-red, 

 which varies according to age and sex. In its wild state the 

 full-grown male is red. Length. — Six and a half inches. 



CROW, CARRION (Corvus corone) 



Local Names. — Black Crow, Black Neb, Bran, Bunting Crow, Cad 

 Crow, Corbie Crake, Corbie Crow, Crow, Doup, Flesh Crow, 

 Gor Crow, Gore Crow, Hoody, Hoody Bran, Ket Crow, .Midden 

 Crow, Mussell Crow, Wood Crow. 



Haunt. — Woods, rocky hillsides, and the seashore. 



Nesting Period. — April and May. 



Site of Nest. — Large trees in woods, or on rocky cliffs. 



Materials Used. — Large and small sticks, plastered with mud, clay, 

 or cow dung, lined with moss, leaves, hair, wool, etc. • 



Eggs. — Four or Five. Greenish, mottled, blotched, and spotted with 

 light brown and greenish-ash. 



Food. — Young birds, mammals, carrion of various kinds, grubs, 

 worms, berries, grain, walnuts, and other fruit. 



Voice. — A loud, harsh " caw," repeated not more than three times. 

 A deeper note than that of the Rook. 



Chief Features. — A much more solitary bird than the Rook. Does 

 not nest in colonies, nor travel about in companies. A broader- 

 looking bird than its near relative, and the adult is feathered 

 right down to the base of the beak. 



