54 OUR RESIDENT BIRDS 



Haunts. Well-wooded districts. Partial to birch and 

 alder trees. 



Observation. Our smallest Finch, and distinct on 

 account of its darker and rosier colouring. 



Plumage. Lores and throat black. Crown crimson ; 

 upper parts reddish brown, streaked longitudinally with 

 blackish. Wings and tail dark brown with pale margins. 

 Breast rose-red. Belly and under tail-coverts sordid 

 white, streaked with brown on flanks. Bill dark brown 

 at tip, otherwise yellowish. Legs blackish brown. 

 Length 5 in. In autumn rosy tints less distinct. Female 

 slightly smaller and duller, with rose colour only to 

 head. Young, duller than female, and no rose-colour on 

 head. 



Language. Song, a short clear twittering, not unlike 

 the Linnet's but much coarser. Call-note, " tit-it-it." 



Habits. Much like the Linnet, but more Tit-like and 

 engaging in its movements. It seldom feeds on the 

 ground, except in winter, when it is gregarious. Rather 

 a confiding bird. 



Food. Insects and their larvae, and seeds, especially 

 those of the birch and alder. 



Nest. May onwards. Two broods. 



Site. In the fork of a tree or hedge, in low bushes and 

 tufts of grass, in alders, willows, &c. 



Materials. Small twigs, roots, stalks, and moss, lined 

 with vegetable down, hair, wool, and feathers. 



Eggs. Four to six. Pale greenish blue, spotted and 

 speckled with reddish and purplish brown. 



COMMON CROSSBILL (Loxia curvirostra}. 



Resident only in the North, and breeding only in 

 certain pine-woods in Scotland and Ireland ; elsewhere 

 met with irregularly in winter, usually in small flocks. 



Plumage. Variable, according to age, sex, and season. 

 Wings and tail brown ; otherwise brownish red is the 



