572 THE CROSSBILLS. 



venient hooks for getting the seeds of the pine, the spruce 

 and the hemlock out of the cones. " On first glancing at 

 the bill of this extraordinary bird," says Wilson, the 

 great ornithologist, " one is apt to pronounce it deformed 

 and monstrous; but, on attentively observing the use to 

 which it is applied by the owner, and the dexterity with 

 which he detaches the seeds of the pine-tree from the cone 

 and from the husks that inclose them, we are obliged to 

 confess, on this, as on many other occasions where we have 

 judged too hastily of the operations of nature, that no 

 other conformation could have been so excellently adapted 

 to the purpose; and that its deviation from the common 

 form, instead of being a defect or monstrosity, as the cele- 

 brated French naturalist insinuates, is a striking proof of 

 the wisdom and kind superintending care of the great 

 Creator." The hooks of the bill are also used as instru- 

 ments for climbing, after the manner of the Parrots, as is 

 shown in the accompanying engraving. 



