1 88 1 -82.] Edinbnrgli Naturalists' Field Club. 27 



way are supposed to be unfailing specifics in the cases of ejjilepsy 

 and apoplexy, both of which afflictions are common among birds 

 deprived of their liberty. The insane idea is carried still further, 

 as they firmly believe that the specimens which have the upper 

 mandible crossed to the right side attract only the diseases peculiar 

 to men, and those whose bill crosses to the left are kind enough to 

 transfer to themselves the complaints of the opposite sex. Foolish 

 ideas with reference to the habits and faculties of birds are not 

 confined to Germany, however, the more illiterate of our own 

 countrymen retaining beliefs whose extreme silliness would be 

 ludicrous, were it not lamentable to think that such could exist in 

 an enlightened age like the present. 



As previously stated. Crossbills usually travel about the woods 

 in flocks ; and so fearless and apparently careless of danger are 

 they on many occasions, that a person may climb up the same tree 

 on which the birds are feeding, and by exercising a little caution 

 may approach within a few feet of them, thus obtaining opportu- 

 nities of a closer observation than can be had of most other species. 

 It would appear from this that the presence of man has not the 

 same terrorising effect on this species that it has on most other 

 birds, ^but this must not be taken as an invariable rule by any 

 means, as at times they are unusually restive and difficult to 

 approach. To speculate on the cause of this vigilance would 

 almost be useless. The most probable explanation appears to be 

 that on these occasions the birds are about to shift their quarters, 

 and consequently, like other species previous to migrating, do not 

 seem inclined to settle down for any length of time in one place. 

 Other and simpler causes may be at work to account for their 

 restlessness, such as fear caused by being shot at, the close prox- 

 imity of Hawks or Owls, &c. But the effects of these do not last 

 long, as, after being fired at, they often return in a few minutes to 

 the vicinity of the spot just vacated. 



When feeding, they speak to each other in a low chuckling sort 

 of note almost without cessation, but when on the wing they utter 

 a clear ringing sound quite unmistakable to any one acquainted 

 with the notes of birds. The song of the male is peculiar, and 

 rather low in the tone, but at the same time audible a long way off 

 in calm weather, from the fact of his taking up a prominent position 

 on the top of a tree when vocally inclined, and in that way the 

 sound is not intercepted by the thick branches. His musical 

 abilities do not rank very high, but notwithstanding are not 

 unpleasant to the ear, and, what is of more importance to the 

 songster, are evidently appreciated by his feminine friends. The 

 females are said to sing also, which is not unlikely, as in a number 

 of species the song is not confined entirely to the male, — the Bull- 

 finch, for instance, being an example iu point. One peculiarity 



