Mr. J. Lewis Bonhote,



i 16



but a reference to the original record shows that, though a nest

was constructed and five eggs laid, they were never incubated.

Considering how well this species adapts itself to confinement,

and how frequently it is to be found in bird-dealers’ shops, this

absence of records and notes on its habits in confinement is

rather curious.


Its habits in a cage are very parrot-like, as it is essentially

a climber, continually hanging in all manner of curious attitudes,

and pulling to pieces any branches or woodwork with which it

can come in contact.


The curious crossed-shape of the bill is a device, specially

adapted to enable it to extract the seeds from the fir cones, which

form its principal food, and, except on migration, it is usually

found in small parties in the neighbourhood of Scotch Firs.


In habits it is a wandering bird, and every now and again

large numbers visit this country from the Continent. One of

these rushes occurred in the late summer of 1909. Towards the

end of June small parties of these birds made their appearance

in the Orkneys, Shetlands and Western Hebrides, and, a few

days later, had been noticed in various places along the east coast

as far south as Hampshire. At this time they were found in

many unaccustomed situations, and had in consequence to feed

on a variety of unusual food, such as grass seeds, daisy centres,

sea pinks, and so forth. In a few weeks, however, they had

passed on and were only found in the neighbourhood of Fir trees,

where they were able to get their usual food, though in a strange

country. Here they remained and (differing from our regular

migrants) they proceeded when the season approached to breed

and rear their young; records of their nesting being furnished

from a number of English counties. Few, however, settled in

Wales or the west of the country, and Irish records were very

isolated. The last chapter of this story is still unwritten ;

gradually and almost imperceptibly their numbers are decreas¬

ing, whether owing to departures at the end of last summer or

from natural enemies cannot be ascertained, but, although a few

are still with us, another year will probably see the last of them,

and we shall have to wait for another irruption before it again

becomes a common bird with us.



