CROSSBILL. 193 



Hebrides. According to Mr. Gray, it " breeds perhaps more 

 numerously in the central counties than elsewhere," but he 

 adds that many nests have been obtained every year near 

 Dumfries, and that it is found in considerable numbers 

 during the breeding season in Lanarkshire. Nests have 

 also been several times known near Girvan, and young 

 broods observed in Dumbartonshire. But this would seem 

 to have been the case only of late, for Jardine, writing in 

 1839, though knowing that the birds remained throughout 

 the year, states that he had " hitherto been unable to dis- 

 cover the nest or any traces of their having built." In the 

 northern counties the same may be asserted. St. John said, 

 in 1849, that the species had of late years become numerous 

 in the fir-woods of Sutherland, and that it certainly bred 

 plentifully in that county. In 1850 he, in company with 

 Mr. Hancock, took, near the Findhorn, a nest whence the 

 young (which they saw close by being fed by their parents) 

 had flown and found at the same time a second nest with 

 the remains of others. It was not till 1854 that the na- 

 turalist last named obtained the nest and eggs from Ross, 

 since which time there can be no doubt of the species breeding 

 regularly in many of the revived highland-forests. In the 

 northern islands, it is, as might be expected, but an accidental 

 visitor, though, according to Saxby as regards Shetland, in 

 increasing frequency and numbers of late in proportion to 

 the growth of young trees. This observer has some inter- 

 esting notes shewing its disposition to adapt itself to such 

 accommodation as these woodless localities afford, and among 

 them none is more curious than its often retiring for the 

 night to the stubbles, though as a rule it roosts in such 

 trees and bushes as offer themselves. 



In Ireland, Thompson remarked that it had long been 

 known as an occasional visitant, and had bred there of late 

 years. Many were recorded as seen in the county Down in 

 1707, and nearly a century later vast flights came over to 

 the county Cork, and thence spread inwards and northwards 

 so far as Dublin, making (as of old time in England) great 

 havoc in the orchards. Another flight is supposed to have 



