Vol. XIX 1 TT TI^, -J . , ^ 



1902 J HILL, Whiic--Muiged Crossbill in Captivity. \'> 



THE WHITi:-WINGED CROSSBILL IN CAPTIVITY. 



BY JAMES HAYNES HILL. 



The ornithologists of Connecticut will long remember the winter 

 of 1899^1900, that brought to them the rare avian visitors from 

 the North, the Red Crossbills and, rarer still, the White-winged 

 Crossbills {Loxia leucoptera). 



While many of the Red Crossbills extended their wanderings as 

 far south as Washington, the White-wings were content to abide 

 in the old Nutmeg State, and were frequently reported, feeding 

 and otherwise, in company with the Red Crossbills, staying as 

 late as February 27, according to Mr. H. W. Beers's field notes 

 taken at Bridgeport (and to whom I am greatly indebted for the 

 use of the fine series of Crossbills loaned me for comparison and 

 examination), and later still, to March i, at whichdate the captives, 

 the subject of my sketch, were taken. 



It was a few days after their capture that a lady friend, Mrs. 

 Albert Beebe, of New London, Conn., sent word that she had a 

 pair of strange, red colored, wild birds, with criss-cross bills and 

 white patches on the wings. They were indeed the rara avis, the 

 White-winged Crossbill and in perfect plumage — male and female 

 birds. 



Upon inquiry I learned that several had been easily enticed into 

 a bird cage, baited with bird seed, this pair selected, and the others 

 liberated. She also said at least fifteen or twenty birds (some 

 without the white-wing patches, evidently the Red Crossbills), 

 were often seen, during the winter, feeding on the spruce and 

 Scotch larch cones in the groves, growing in the vicinity, that they 

 had become quite tame, but were not seen after March i. 



The captives were quite tame, in fact tamer than some of her 

 pet canaries, and they were daily allowed their liberty and would 

 fly about the room, the male at times singing his queer little song. 

 They are now very fond of their mistress, who has taken great 

 pains to make their captivity as light as possible. 



They bathe, drink, and are fed on the same food as the canaries, 

 and take kindly to the little dainties provided — chickweed and 

 bits of fruit or vegetables, and I write with truth that " Mi-lord " 



