346 INSESSORES. 



they are confined to localities in which these cones can be ob 

 tained, such as the Hartz, or great pine forests of Germany 

 They first fix themselves across the cone, then bring the point: 

 of the mandibles from their crossed position to be immediate!] 

 over each other. In this reduced compass, they insert their beaks 

 and then opening them, not in the usual manner, but by drawing 

 the lower mandible sidewise, they force open the scales, if 

 this process, they are aided by the beautiful and peculiar adap 

 tation of the tongue, an additional portion, partly osseous, with i 

 horny covering being articulated to the front end of the bone oi 

 the tongue, (os liyoides.) Underneath this grooved appendage i; 

 another small muscle which is attached at one end to the bone ol 

 the tongue ; at the other, it is joined to the movable piece, anc 

 by its erection bends the point downwards and backwards; whilst 

 therefore, the points of the beak press the shell from the body of th( 

 cone, the tongue, brought forward by its own muscle, is enabled 

 by additional ones, to direct and insert its cutting scoop beneatr 

 the seed, and the food thus dislodged is transferred to the mouth 



While these birds are at work on the fircones, they send fortt 

 a gentle twitter, and may be seen climbing among the branches 

 like parrots ; but they are also said to have a pleasant song 

 poured forth only in the winter months, or at the season of incu 

 bation. The Cross-bills are subject to considerable changes ol 

 color. 



The male of the COMMON CROSS-BILL, Loxia curvirostra. (Lat 

 curve-beaked.) varies from a beautiful red to an orange color or 

 the head, neck, breast and back ; the female is generally of i 

 dull olive green on those parts which are red in the male. It is 

 sometimes called the German Parrot, and on account of its swee 

 and well tasted flesh, is in special request in the bird-market of 

 Vienna, (Austria.) for the purposes of the table. This bird i: 

 five and three-fourths inches long. It is a regular inhabitant of 

 all our pine forests (situated north of 40o N. Lat.,) from the be- 

 ginning of September to the middle of April, building its nest or 

 the highest part of the fir trees, and making use of the resinou: 

 matter which exudes from them for fixing it to the trees. 



The AMERICAN CROSS-BILL, L. Americana, is of a red color 

 with brownish tail and wings, from six and one-half to sever 

 inches in length ; feeds on the cones of the hemlock, and or 

 apples and other fruits, which the bird breaks open for its seeds 

 Bonaparte and other naturalists consider this species as distinc 

 from the European Cross-bill. It is a northern-bird, but breed: 

 as far south as Pennsylvania. 



Another species is the WHITE WINGED CROSS-BILL, L. leucop 



