WHITE-WINGED CJtOSSBILL. 5 



ilie Crossbills are very expert in obtaining the seeds from 

 cones, and it is an interesting sight to see a flock so cnga-ed, 

 as they assume various attitudes, often even hangincT head 

 downward, when they resemble little Parrots. Alf of the 

 Finches and Sparrows are inclined to gather in flocks, but 

 this propensity appears to be developed to an extreme de- 

 gree in the American Crossbills, for they associate together 

 m considerable numbers and often even breed in communities. 



Song. When feeding in company, the Crossbills keep up a 

 murmuring conversation; they have a loud, clear call note 

 which is often given when the birds are flying ; and in sprint 

 they give a low but very sweet song. 



White-winged Cross blH. 



LOXIA LEUCOPTERA 



Plate XII, Fig. 1. 



Size about that of the American Crossbill, but the bird is 

 more slender and has a less stout bill. The color is crimson 

 lake, not.yello^'ish red, while the wings and tail are darker and 

 there is a large, conspicuous patch of white on the former 

 and the inner feathers are tipped with white. Females' 

 young and nestlings are colored much as in the American 

 Crossbill, but the white on the wings is always present. 



Dimensions. Length, 6.25; stretch, D.IO; wing, 3.25; 

 tail, 2.40; bill, .65; tarsus, .GO. 



Comparisons. Distinguished from the American Cross- 

 bill mall stages of plumage by the conspicuous white patch 



