LOXIA CUBVIROSTEA POLIOGTNA 227 



similar to that of its congener. The bird is certainly an early breeder 

 in Tunisia, and judging from the young examples procured in May, 

 probably commences to nest in February. This would, no doubt, 

 account for my having failed to meet with its nest and eggs, my 

 visits to the Kegency having been made somewhat later in the spring. 

 I have generally found the species in pairs, but several of these pairs 

 may sometimes be within a short distance of each other, busily 

 engaged in feeding upon the seeds of the Aleppo pine. The Crossbill 

 is naturally very tame and unsuspicious, and even in districts like 

 these Tunisian highlands, where man is seldom to be seen, it evinces 

 no sign of fear or alarm on the approach of human beings, but, on the 

 contrary, seems more or less indifferent to their presence. The hard 

 seeds of conifers no doubt form the chief food of the species, but 

 insects and their larvae are also occasionally eaten. The Crossbill bears 

 captivity well, and in some countries may often be seen as a cage-bird. 

 In Bohemia a curious popular superstition exists among the lower 

 classes, the Crossbill being supposed to ward off illness from the house 

 in which it is kept in confinement. Moreover, should any member 

 of that household be taken ill, the poor bird is said to contract the 

 illness in the patient's stead, and to die of it ! 



The Crossbill's notes are soft and pleasing, but the bird can hardly 

 be said to have a regular song. 



Nests of the common Crossbill found in Europe are generall}' 

 placed on the horizontal branches of firs, or other coniferous trees, 

 and are composed of twigs, moss and lichen, lined with wool and 

 hair. The eggs, generally four in number, are of a pale bluish-white, 

 slightly spotted and streaked, chiefly on the larger end, with reddish- 

 brown and lake. Average measurements 22 x 16 mm. 



