98 OUTDOOR LIFE IN ENGLAND 



It is larger than the bullfinch, and very different 

 in plumage. Most naturalists make mention of 

 it, but Colonel Irby, in his ' Notes on British 

 Birds,' states that there are only one or two 

 instances in which it has been observed in Britain, 

 and that, in his opinion, these were probably in- 

 troduced. 



The crossbill is a far less rare bird than is 

 generally supposed. The late Mr. James Raw- 

 lence, of Wilton, to whose valuable collection of 

 birds I shall doubtless have occasion to refer from 

 time to time, informed me that large flocks of 

 crossbills frequently visited his grounds for the 

 purpose of feeding on the fir-cones, of which they 

 are extremely fond. Wherever these trees are 

 abundant, crossbills are likely to make their 

 appearance. I have never had the good fortune 

 to see one of these birds alive, but I believe that 

 it is most interesting to watch them feeding on 

 the fir-cones, the power of their beaks being- 

 extraordinary, and singularly adapted for the 

 purpose of procuring their food. Mr. Rawlence 

 showed me some beautifully mounted specimens 

 of this bird which had been procured in his neigh- 

 bourhood. 



Bird-catching by means of clap-nets is, or used 

 to be, very extensively carried on in the country 

 round London, and when a schoolboy at Harrow 

 I used at times to accompany one or other of the 

 local bird-catchers on their expeditions. Gold- 

 finches, linnets, redpoles, and siskins, were very 



