The Common Crossbill 55 



the top, after wliicli the cock-bird almost invariably took liis seeds out there, 

 clinging head downwards to the wires as he fed : in a few days the Crossbills 

 became accustomed to their cage, and immediately set to work to do all the 

 mischief they could. They tore to pieces perch after perch, so that incessant 

 renewal was necessary ; then they began to tear awaj^ the woodwork of the cage, 

 which was anything but pleasing to me, as it had cost me more money than I 

 could afford to throw awa}^ : moreover, they fought for supremacy, and their bad 

 language at such times was incessant chip-chip-i/iip. At last the chip of beak and 

 tongue was more than I could stand, and I greatly desired to be rid of the dear 

 creatures. 



I think it likel}- that my Crossbills refused to take the trouble to eat apple- 

 pips, because they were well supplied with sunflower-seed, with which the}- were 

 perfectly satisfied. On the 6tli February, 1S87, I removed the Crossbills from 

 their large wooden-framed flight-cage to a much sujaller metal prison (such is 

 sometimes irsed for Canaries) ; two days later the cock-bird discovered how to 

 open the door ; and, after carefull}' shutting it behind him, flew up to the roof 

 of the greenhouse in which the cage was hung, and amused himself b^^ walking 

 about on the creepers head downwards. It was quite three-quarters of an hour 

 before he could be again secured in his cage, and he used his mandibles to some 

 purpose upon his captor. The door of the cage was now fastened with wire, to 

 prevent another exhibition of the bird's skill as a prison-breaker. On the morning 

 of the 9th the cock-bird died, apparently out of pique, for we could discover no 

 cause for his death, his organs being all in perfect condition ; but possibly he 

 may have been squeezed when captured : the following day the hen had a fit and 

 followed his example. Thus my hope of exchanging my Crossbills for some less 

 destructive species were disappointed. 



