154 BIRDS QF THE WEST OF SCOTLAND. 



several parts of Dumbartonshire young broods have likewise 

 been observed. The nest of this bird is, however, not easily 

 found. 



Throughout Scotland generally this Crossbill is widely distri- 

 buted, having been taken in every county, although not, as far as 

 I am aware, in any of the outer islands. Wooded districts appear 

 to attract the greatest numbers, but when congregated in very 

 large flocks, they wander restlessly over the country, alighting at 

 times in places hardly suited to their habits. I have observed 

 autumn flights of these curious birds passing the outskirts of the 

 city of Glasgow. In some districts it appears to be resident all 

 the year round. 



In Orkney, where great numbers appeared in the winter of 

 1806-7, the migratory flocks do not occur regularly. I find from 

 a manuscript note, by one of the authors, in Baikie and Heddle's 

 " Fauna," that numbers were observed there in 1849. 



The bill of this species appears to vary very much in size; out 

 of a dozen specimens now before me, only three have this 

 feature alike. 



THE PAEEOT CROSSBILL. 

 LOXIA PITYOPSITTACUS. 



CAN only in the meantime be regarded as an accidental straggler. 

 It is not unreasonable, however, to suppose that it may occur 

 much oftener in Scotland than past records would lead us to 

 believe ; and I would recommend Scottish ornithologists especially 

 to renew their observations in northern districts, believing that 

 the large flocks of Crossbills which annually visit us will be found 

 in some cases to include this species. I have a very characteristic 

 specimen of the Parrot Crossbill now before me, which was killed 

 at Wemyss Bay, on the shores of the Firth of Clyde, in the spring 

 of 1862. It was one of a flock observed by a country lad and his 

 companion, and was knocked down with a stone which one of 

 them was induced to fling at the birds on account of their tame- 

 ness. Two came into the possession of Sir William Jardiue in 

 1833 ; they were taken in Ross-shire. 



The late Mr H. Osborne of Wick mentions in a paper con- 

 tributed by him to the Royal Physical Society of Edinburgh, 



