204 



this species is not as frequently observed as the preceding [L. curvi- 

 rostra, var. americana], in the general habits of which it resembles. 

 Like the former, it prefers the northern part of the continent, and 

 only resorts to our milder climate when driven by severe weather." 



Dimensions. Average measurements of ten specimens: length, 

 6-05; stretch, 10'18; wing, 3-27; tail, 2-41; cnlmen, -02; tarsus, -61. 



71. Loxia curvirostra, var. americana, ( Wilson'). AMKUICAN 

 RED CROSSBILL. An occasional visitor, usually in winter; sometimes 

 abundant. 



Red Crossbills were extremely common during the winter of 1874-5. 

 .They were first seen in December, by my friend, the late Frederic S. 

 Osborn. I found three birds feeding on the seeds of pitch pines' cones 

 (Pinus ritjida) on January 11. After that they were seen commonly, 

 and continued to be abundant until the 10th of April, at which time 

 they were singing very sweetly. The Red Crossbills are surprisingly" 

 gentle, not in the least objecting to being approached to within a few 

 feet. I used frequently to visit a certain dense grove of hemlocks 

 (Alies canadensis"), that was constantly inhabited by large flocks of 

 Crossbills of both species, for the purpose of watching their singular 

 habits. The White-wings were somewhat shy and suspicious, and 

 extremely restless, constantly flying from the top of one tree to that 

 of another, and keeping up an incessant rattling cry ; but the Red 

 Crossbills were found in larger numbers frequenting the lower droop- 

 ing branches, to which they clung in every variety of posture, glean- 

 ing bu.-ily the while, seldom roving about, and inclined to be noisy 

 and chattering, though their notes are very unlike those of the other 

 species, and more nearly resemble those of the European Sparrow. 

 Their dexterity in extracting the seeds from cones is quite remarkable, 

 and the shower of refuse materials sent down from a tree-top, is, of 

 itself, sufficient to apprise one of their presence. 



The nest of this Crossbill was found at Riverdale, N. Y., by Mr. 

 Bicknell, and contained three eggs on April 30, 1875. l6 Riverdale is 

 on the Hudson River, sixteen miles north of New York Bay. For a 

 very interesting account of the Red Crossbill at Riverdale, see Mr. 

 Eugene P. Bicknell's article, in the "Nuttall Club Bulletin" for Janu- 

 ary, 1880, pp. 7 to 11. 



I saw a large flock of Crossbills at Fort Miller. Washington County, 

 N. Y., on February 27, 1877. 



Dimensions. Average measurements of eighteen specimens : length, 

 6-19; stretch, 10-72; wing, 3-40; tail, 2-13; culmen, -66; tarsus, -62. 



"American Naturalist, Vol. X, No. 4, p. 237, April, 1876. 

 [To be continued.] 



