10 BiCKNELL 071 the nesting of the Bed Crossbill. 



almost unique among our birds. Here we have a species breeding 

 within hearing distance of the songs of Siurus motacilla and other 

 birds of similar distribution, whose proper breeding range, so far as 

 known, is within the confines of the Canadian Fauna, where the 

 severities of midwinter seem to afford it a congenial environment 

 while rearing its young. 



I further learn from Mr. Boardman that the species in question 

 " is a very common breeding bird all through the forests of North- 

 ern Maine, from January to July, but not every year," and that 

 eggs which he has received have usually been frozen in transporta- 

 tion. Yet I have repeatedly observed the species in flocks about 

 New York City in late spring and early summer. Mr. R. F. Pear- 

 sail informs me that he has shot it on Long Island in midsummer,* 

 and we have other records of its occurrence southward at that 

 season irrespective of elevation. It has even been noticed in the 

 Bermudas from March to May.t Is it that these roving bands 

 are late broods of the preceding year, which breed correspondingly 

 later than early broods, or does the species not attain its perfect 

 adult state till its second year"? In the former case we would have 

 a unique instance of the southernmost representatives of a species 

 breeding considei'ably later than the most northern. As for the 

 latter supposition it seems to find some support, not only from 

 general evidence, but in the fact that in male and female specimens 

 taken at Riverdale in May the reproductive organs are seasonably 

 undeveloped, while the male, at least, is certainly not in perfect 

 adult plumage. The above-mentioned instance of its breeding 

 seems to be an exceptional case, for, though others were constantly 

 present, it is scarcely probable that they were nesting, as after 

 May 10 none were observed. 



I learn from Dr. A. K. Fisher, however, that this same year the 

 species was last seen at Sing-Sing on April 1, when a female shot 

 from a flock of eight had the ovaries well developed. 



We find that in various localities in the State of Maine the ex- 

 tremes of mean temperature for the months of January and February 

 are about 11° and 24°, while in New York City the average tempera- 

 ture for April and May, 1875, was nearly 51°. Here we have an 



* A flock being found feeding on the seeds of a low, second growth of grass, 

 in a mowed field. Here we have an instance of decided variation in habits with 

 changed conditions. 



t Prof. Baird, Am. Jour. Sci., Vol. XLI, May, 1866, p. 30. 



