202 TIIE SMALLER BRITISH BIRDS. 



instead of such being the case, it is a wonderful instance of the 

 perfect manner in which the Creator has fitted everything for the 

 purpose it is intended to accomplish. The Crossbill subsists chiefly 

 on the seeds of the pine and fir, which, being contained in hard 

 scaly coverings, could not possibly be removed by a bird's beak of 

 ordinary construction. In order to obtain them, this bird brings the 

 points of its mandibles together, and thus reduced in compass inserts 

 them between the scales of the cones; then separating the points, 

 forcibly closing the mandibles, and working them sideways, the scales 

 are wrenched open by the points acting in opposite directions. The 

 seeds are then taken out by means of another wonderful organ, the 

 tongue, which is specially adapted for the purpose, by having an 

 additional portion, formed partly of bones, and of a scoop shape, 

 jointed on to the end. The Common Crossbill has been met with in 

 all parts of the British Isles, generally appearing in large flocks, and 

 sometimes doing considerable damage in the apple orchards, but its 

 coming and going are very irregular. In certain years it has been 

 very plentiful, and in others not a specimen has been seen. Tho 

 Parrot Crossbill, so named from its remarkably strong, short, and 

 curved beak, is a much rarer visitor to our shores, although it is 

 sometimes moderately abundant in Germany. The remaining species, 

 the American and Two-barred Crossbills, have only been met with in 

 a few instances in this country. As these birds are very similar in 

 general appearance it seems a matter of doubt, with several of tho 

 specimens taken, as to which of the two species they really belong. 



