THE CROSS-BILLS AND THE STARLING. 32? 



the young, the female commonly allows the cone to fall to 

 the ground ; the young follow her to the cone, out of which 

 she plucks the seeds and gives them, whilst they, gaping 

 and screeching, surround her on all sides. 



The Common Cross-Bill (Mindre Kors-Nabb, or Lesser 

 Cross-Bill, Sw. ; L. curvirostra, Linn.) was also common 

 in my vicinity, and the like is the case throughout Scandi- 

 navia generally. Its habits and manner of feeding much 

 resemble those of the parrot cross-bill ; and as with that bird, 

 it breeds during the latter part of the winter, as well as the 

 summer. It would seem to be of a very domestic disposition. 

 M. Melchior speaks of three in his possession, which not 

 unfrequently were allowed to roam at pleasure the surround- 

 ing woods, but always returned to their cage ; and what is 

 singular enough, they at times lured their wild compeers into 

 their prison. 



The White-winged Cross-Bill (Bandel Kors-Nabb, or 

 Barred Cross-Bill, Sw. ; L. leucoptera, Gmel.). This bird 

 was rare with us ; indeed, I only know one instance of its 

 having been killed in my vicinity. It would also seem to be 

 rare in other parts of Scandinavia, where, Nilsson tells us, it 

 has only been shot on two or three occasions. It has been 

 seen, but very rarely, in Denmark. North America is its 

 proper home. 



The Common Starling (Stare, Sw. ; Sturnus vulyaris, 

 Linn.) was very common with us during the summer 

 months ; and, with the exception of the far north, the 

 like is the case, there is reason to believe, throughout Scandi- 

 navia. In Denmark it is also met with everywhere. Though 

 as regards Sweden and Denmark it is a migratory bird, in 



