88 



A PRACTICAL HANDBOOK OF BRITISH BIRDS. 



A. Common Crossbill (Loxia c. curvirostra) adult. B. Nestling. C. Scottish Crossbill 

 [L.c.seotica). D. Parrot-Crossbill (L. pj//j/op«t^<acw«). 



Description. — Like Loxia c. curvirostra but with more massive, 

 deeper, and usually blunter bill, especially in male, but this differ- 

 ence noticeable even in juvenile. Average wing-measurement also 

 larger. Intermediate between L. c. curvirostra and L. pytyopsittacus, 

 and if it should be proved that L. c. curvirostra also breeds 

 in the Highlands this bird should be considered as a form of 

 L. pytyopsittacus. 



Measurements. — (^ wing 96-103 mm., tail 55-62, tarsus 17-19, 

 bill depth at base 12-14, length of upper mandible from feathers 

 17-19 (10 measured). $ wing 94-98. Tips of mandibles and 

 especially upper one are thicker and blunter, and not so elongated 

 as in typical form. 



Breeding-habits. — Similar to those of Common Crossbill, but 

 perhaps more frequently nesting in larches. Eggs also similar 

 in character, 7 eggs once recorded. Average of 100 eggs, 

 21.24 X 15.91 mm. Breeding-season. — From Feb. to April, and 

 sometimes again in June ; most eggs found early in March. 



Distribution. — Confined to Scotland. — Resident in north Scotland, 

 breeding from south-east Sutherland, throughout Moray Basin 

 south to Dunkeld (Perth), west to Loch Maree (west Ross), and 

 east to Huntley (Banff). Has occurred sporadically in winter in 

 very small numbers in Dumfries, Kirkcudbright, and Fife, but 

 apparently not a regular migrant from data available. 



LOXIA PYTYOPSITTACUS 



35. Loxia pytyopsittacus Borkh.— THE PARROT-CROSSBILL. 



Loxia Pytyopsittacus Borkhaiisen, Rheinisches Magazin, i, p. 139 

 (1793 — Substituted typical locality: Sweden; c/. Hartert, Vog. pal. 

 Fauna, i, p. 122). 



Loxia pityopaittacua Bechstein, Yarrell, 11, p. 207 ; Saunders, p. 202 

 (Ln text). 



