CROSSBILLS. 7 



" What are they ? " exclaimed Jimmy ; " their beaks are 

 hooked, and cross each other. I never saw birds like them 

 before.'' 



" They are crossbills, as sure as we are here ! " said Frank, 

 excitedly. " Run to the boat-house as quick as you can, while 

 I watch them, and bring the gun." 



Brett sped off like a deer, while Frank followed the move- 

 ments of the strange birds with interest 



Jimmy returned with the gun, and quite out of breath. 



" Now," said Frank, " from the difference in colour there 

 are evidently males and females here, and we must get one of 

 each ; and we must do it without disturbing the others, as if 

 we don't frighten them they may stay here and breed." 



They watched for some time before they could get the 

 desired chance, and then two birds flew, toying with each 

 other, to some distance from the rest. They were evidently 

 male and female. Frank put the gun to his shoulder, a report 

 rang through the wood, and both the crossbills, for such they 

 were, fell dead to the ground. 



Frank might have shot many more, but he was a thorough 

 naturalist, and, as such, he disliked the idea of indiscriminate 

 and useless slaughter. He had procured specimens sufficient, 

 and he humanely let the others go. 



" Now, Jimmy, we have got a prize. Crossbills are not seen 

 every day. Let us go to the boat-house and skin them, and 

 read something about them in our books." 



The boat-house, which belonged to Mr. Merivale, stood at 

 the edge of a little bay of the Broad. It was a large, sub- 

 stantial structure, projecting out into the water, and having 

 a large room above, approached by a staircase. This had been 

 appropriated by Frank as his " den," and here it was that he 

 and his friend transacted all their private business, held their 

 natural history meetings, skinned and stuffed birds, and kept 

 their collection of birds' eggs and butterflies. 



