232 FRINGILLID^ 



young birds have often been observed imperfectly fledged, 

 it may be surmised that such instances are not rare. 

 Its nest, constructed of slender twigs of fir and coarse 

 dry grass, and lined with fine grass and a few Ijairs, is 

 concealed among the upper branches of a Scotch fir.* 



THE PAEROT CEOSSBILL. 



LOXIA PITYOPSITTACUS. 



Bill very stout, shorter than the middle toe ; point of the lower mandible not 

 reaching so high as the ridge of the upper. Length se\-en inches. Eggs grey- 

 ish white, marlced at the larger end with large blood-red spots, the rest thinly 

 speckled with the same colour. 



This bird, which resembles the Common Crossbill in 

 colour and habits, frequents the Arctic regions, where 

 the majority remain to breed. In summer it occasionally 

 visits Prussia and Germany, resorting to the great pine- 

 forests, and returning to the iJ^orth at the approach of 

 Spring. In France and Holland it is a yet rarer visitor, 

 and in this country only a few specimens have been 

 observed. 



THE WHITE-WIXGED CEOSSBILL. 



LOXIA LEUCOPTERA. 



Bill longer than the middle toe ; upper mandible much compressed towards the 

 tip ; plumage crimson, variegated with yellow ; tail black ; wings black, with 

 two white bars. Length six and a qiiarter inches. Eggs white, marked with 

 yellowish spots. 



This, like the last, is a northern bird, and of yet rarer 

 occurrence in this country. In habits it resembles the 

 Common Crossbill. 



* The name, " Sheldapple," supposed by Yarrell to be given to 

 this bird on account of the habit ascribed to it of rifling the con- 

 tents of apple.s, has reference perhaps to the varied tints of its 

 plumage, as is undoubtedly tlie case with the Sheldi'ake, to be 

 described hereafter. 



