THE PARROT CROSSBILL. 207 



THE PARROT CROSSBILL, 



(Loxia pityopsitlacus.} 



PLATE XIII. FIGURE III. 



THE Parrot Crossbill, sometimes called the Fir Grossbeak, very nearly 

 resembles the species last described, both in form and plumage; indeed 

 Bechstein says he considered it to be identical, until he kept the two 

 birds in the same room, and had an opportunity of comparing them. 

 . The male is from seven and a quarter to a little over seven and a 

 half inches in length. The bill is thicker, and has the mandibles more 

 curved than in the Common Crossbill. 



This species inhabits Sweden, Norway, and most of the northern 

 countries of Europe. It is not uncommon in Germany, but is rare in 

 France and Holland. The first notice of its appearance in this country 

 occurs in Pennant's "Zoology," published in the year 1776. He says, 

 in his account of the Common Crossbill: "We received a male and 

 female of the large variety out of Shropshire: the bill was remarkably 

 thick and short, more incurvated than that of the common bird, and 

 the ends more blunt/' Since that time several other specimens have 

 been obtained; one was shot in Surrey, and another in Epping Forest, 

 Essex, in the autumn of 1835. Others were taken at Biddlesworth 

 Hall, in Norfolk, and at Saxham, in Suffolk, the latter in November, 

 1850. In March, 1838, several specimens were brought for sale to the 

 London market, and eagerly purchased by those who were aware of 

 their rarity. Another was shot at Harrcw-on-the-Hill, Middlesex, on 

 the 21st. of January, 1850, and a correspondent of Mr. Morris* states 

 that he saw a small flock of these birds in a larch plantation at 

 Dodington, in Kent, in September, 1851. Two specimens have been 

 met with in Scotland, and one in Ireland. 



These birds frequent forests of pine and fir. They are said to sit 

 very still among the uppermost branches of the trees, and to feed on 

 the seeds which they extract by means of their curious curved bills. 

 They are usually seen in parties of from twelve to twenty-four, and 

 roost close together at night. When hopping from tree to tree, they 

 utter a loud harsh call, not unlike that of the Common Crossbill, ( g&p, 



