THE CROSS-BILL. SOi 



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Description Food Nests Familiarity. 



the feathers somewhat greenish, some of a pale 

 yellow, and others white; the breast is of a pale 

 dusky colour, spotted with black, but the belly is 

 whiter, and free from spots ; the tail is above two 

 inches long, and some of the upper parts of the 

 outer feathers are white, and others brown, with 

 pale green edges ; the feet are yellow, and the 

 claws are very long, and of a pale dusky colour. 

 The cock is all over more yellow than the hen, 

 but especially under the throat, on the breast, 

 legs, and soles of the feet. 



These birds feed upon insects and seeds, like 

 other larks, but they build their nests with moss 

 in low bushes, among grass, or in corn-fields, not 

 far from the ground, covering them on the inside 

 with horse-hair; they generally lay five or six 

 fggs, of a dark brown colour, and the young are 

 commonly hatched about the beginning of June. 

 They may be brought up with the same meq, 

 and management as young woodlarks or nightinr 

 gales. They soon become tame and familiar. 



THE CROSS-BILL, 



THIS bird is about the size of a lark, being 

 nearly seven inches in length. It is distinguished* 

 by the peculiar formation of itg bill, the upper/ 

 and under mandible coming in opposite direc-r 

 tions, and crossing each other at the points. Its 

 fyes are hazel; its general colour reddish,, mixed 



YOL. III. NO. XXII. O, 



