AMERICAN CROSSBILL. 49 



the dusky markings are narrower, and the rump is wholly 

 ■white or rosy, without any streakings whatever. Breeds in the 

 far north in about the same regions inhabited by Ilolboell's 

 EedpoU, and is very rare as far north as Massachusetts in 

 winter, but may be more common at this season in northern 

 ]^ew England. 



Genus. CROSSBILLS. Loxia. 



Bill stout, both mandibles much curved, with the tips 

 elongated and crossed. Wings, long and pointed, folding be- 

 yond the middle of the deeply forked tail, which has both up- 

 per and under coverts elongated and extending beyond its 

 middle. 



This is a unique genus of Finches of which we have two 

 species within our limits. 



American Crcssbill. 



Loxia Americana. 



Plate XI, Fig. 1. 

 Form, robust. Yellowish red throughout, but never rosy. 

 Wings and tail dark brown without markings. Female, green- 

 ish gray throughout, becoming bright on top of head and rump, 

 where there is sometimes a trace of red. Young are like the 

 females, but quite dull, and males occur in all stages of mixed 

 red and greenish. Nestlings are ashy throughout, tinged 

 with greenish, especially on the rump, streaked everywhere 

 with dusky, but rather more narrowly below than above. 



