CROSSBILL. 



COMMON CROSSBILL. EUROPEAN CROSSBILL. SHEL-APPLE. 



PLATE XCII. FIG. II. 



Loxia curvirostra, LINNAEUS. LATHAM. 



NIDIFICATION commences very early in foreign countries, even in 

 January or February, the young having been found fledged in March. 



The nest is placed in the angle of the junction of the branches to 

 the tree, low down and also high up; and is loosely compacted of small 

 twigs, grass, small straws, and moss, lined on the inside with the dry 

 leaves of the fir tree, and also with feathers. 



The eggs are white, sometimes tinged with blue or green, and spotted, 

 chiefly at the thicker end, with reddish, bluish red, purple, or brown. 



One is of a very light shade of greenish grey, with one or two large 

 red spots, and a few small ones. 



A second is of a very light bluish grey, with several red spots at 

 the thicker end, and a few others. 



A third is grounded with very light brown, with waved yellowish red 

 streaks, chiefly at the broad end. 



J. R. Wise, Esq. has favoured me with a specimen for the use of 

 this work. 



