1 88 1 -82.] Edinburgh Naturalists' Field Chib. 25 



to ticQe during several centuries ; but as tliey may all be gathered 

 from the standard works on natural history now in use, with these 

 few introductory remarks we may turn more particularly to the 

 habits and outward appearance of the bird itself. 



With the exception of the short season of incubation, Crossbills 

 are almost invariably observed in ilocks, especially during autumn 

 and winter, although at times solitary individuals are met with in 

 most unlikely places. The numbers composing the flocks vary 

 very much, ranging from little bands of five or six up to large 

 companies of sixty or seventy, the latter including both the old 

 birds and the young of the yeai', whereas the smaller lots are most 

 likely to be the parents with their own offspring alone. A good 

 deal of uncertainty exists as to the times of breeding. In mild 

 seasons many nest in February, which is just about a month 

 earlier than the earliest of our native birds, such as the Eaven and 

 Eook. But again, many seem to postpone operations until May or 

 June. The reasons for this variation are not easy of solution. An 

 open winter and early spring may no doubt induce them to pair a 

 little sooner than they would feel inclined to do in a cold backward 

 season, when the stock of food wherewith to feed the young would 

 naturally be scarcer ; but, on the other hand, it is confidently 

 asserted by those who have studied their habits that the birds 

 found in May and June are second broods, which is probable 

 enough, as many species rear two and even three successive 

 families in a season. Without further opportunities for closer 

 observation, it would be premature to offer an opinion as to which 

 suggestion is the correct one. They are very affectionate to each 

 other, and not much addicted to quarrelling, their principles being 

 usually those commended in the psalm regarding brethren dwelling 

 in unity. Yet, notwithstanding their general love of peace, a few 

 overstep the bounds of discretion now and again, more particularly 

 a short time prior to the pairing season. They may be seen 

 occasionally fighting furiously in the air, screaming harshly the 

 while — whether animated by jealousy or the mere fondness for 

 testing their strength would be difficult to decide. As a rule, 

 however, they may be said to agree admirably, and do not seem to 

 attack other birds, although frequently accompanied by parties of 

 Siskins, Eedpolls, Tits, &c. In the late autumn the former birds 

 more frequently join the Crossbills than at any other time of the year, 

 probably " with an eye to the main chance " — it being very evident 

 that they take advantage of the Crossbill's superior facilities for 

 breaking open the cones to pick out the seeds from the half-opened 

 ones left by the larger birds, without which assistance it would be 

 rather an arduous task for them to extract any, especially when the 

 cones are firm and unburst. 



While on the subject of food, it would be as well to explain 



