OF NEW ENGLAND. 



I 



169 



that which Wilson has spoken of in admirable language. That 

 author says : "On first glancing at the bill of this extraordi- 

 nary bird 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 enclose 

 them, we are obliged to confess on this as on many other occa- 

 sions where we have judged too hastily of the operations of 

 nature, that no other conformation could have been so excel- 

 lently adapted to the purpose ;" etc. (WILSON, VOL. iv, p. 44). 



The exact distribution, the regular breeding-habits, and the 

 migrations of the Crossbills are not, at present, perfectly 

 understood. These birds migrate (it is supposed and well- 

 nigh proved), in accordance with the abundance of food in 

 their usual habitat (northward of the 44th parallel of latitude). 

 Hence they are sometimes not seen at all in Massachusetts 

 during the year, and at other times appear as early as August, 

 and remain until June (whence it has been assumed that they 

 breed here). 



Though often here in autumn and spring, they are commonly 

 driven to our latitudes in the winter-months ; then, usually in 

 flocks varying in number from three or four to hundreds, they 

 are to be seen busily engaged in extracting seeds from the 

 cones of our evergreens. They are good climbers, moving 

 much like parrots, but with more agility.' They occasionally 

 eat berries ; and they also descend to the ground, having a 

 fondness, it is said, for saline substances. It is somewhere 

 stated that in Arctic countries they often become so engrossed 

 in their feeding, when on the ground, that they can easily be 

 caught with a net, or knocked over with a club. Whilst near 

 Boston in winter, they exhibit neither shyness nor stupidity, 

 but, when started from a tree, often return to it, after ma- 

 noeuvring in the air in the manner of the " Red-polls." They 

 generally fly at a considerable height, and sometimes at a very 

 great elevation, at least great relatively to the powers of flight 

 which belong to this family of birds. In spring, the Crossbills 

 do mischief in attacking the buds of various trees ; and Mr. 



