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PARROT CROSSBILL. 



Loxia pityopsittacus, BEWICK. FLEMING. 



" curvirostra major, (as a variety,) GMELIN. LATHAM. 



Loxia. Loxos Curved oblique. Pityopsittacus. Pittus A pine tree. 



PsittacusA. Parrot. 



THIS species, as by many eminent naturalists it is considered, 

 is an inhabitant of the high northern latitudes of Europe. 

 It is found in Germany also, and is occasionally met with in 

 Holland, Switzerland, and France, as well as in Sweden and 

 Norway. 



In this country they are but rare visitants, and only appear 

 now and then, 'longo post intervallo.' A pair were received 

 by Pennant from Shropshire; one was shot in Surrey; and 

 another was obtained in Epping Forest, Essex, in the autumn 

 of 1835. One was shot at Saxham, in Suffolk, in November, 

 1850; and one some years previously at Riddlesworth Hall, 

 Norfolk, as recorded by Alfred Newton, Esq., of Elveden 

 Hall, Thetford, in the 'Zoologist,' page 3145. Several were 

 sold in the London market in March, 1838; and one shot at 

 Harrow-on-the-Hill, Middlesex, on the 21st. of January, 1850. 

 Mr. Chaffey, of Dodington, Kent, informs me that he saw 

 a small flock of these birds in a larch plantation there in 

 September, 1851. 



In Scotland two have occurred. 



In Ireland, one was shot by Rainey Maxwell, Esq., at 

 Grenville, near Belfast, in May, 1802. 



These birds are denizens of the large pine forests, and are 

 said to prefer the tops of trees, seldom descending except to 

 drink, and roosting together at night in large companies. 

 They are capable of being kept in confinement. 



Their food consists of the seeds of fir cones and others. 



They breed in April or May, or even earlier, the eggs 



