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THE CROSSBILL. 



(Loxia curvirostra.) 



The Crossbill is a stationary bird as to habitat, but it 

 does ramble about. Staying at home, or wandering, 

 depends upon the supply of sap or seeds of the fir 

 tree, which forms its sole food; although it visits also 

 beeches, maples, and alders, sometimes even falls back 

 on thistle-seeds, and does not even despise caterpillars. 

 Its beak is an excellent tool for removing husks and 

 crushing seed. It wastes a great many seeds, for it lets 

 fall all those which it cannot shell with one bite. It 

 reminds us of the Parrot, not only by the form of its 

 beak, but also by the clever way in which the beak is 

 used in addition to the legs in climbing from bough to 

 bough, just as the Parrot does. It is besides a cheerful, 

 indeed, a restless bird. It sings whole songs, and the 

 old bird fancier Bechstein has put words to one of these, 

 beginning : 



Zeri-zeri doeng-doeng-doeng hist-hist. 



Its call is sok, sok. 



The firwoods of our Hungarian mountains contain 

 plenty of these birds. 



These interesting birds, the Crossbills, nest in many 

 parts north of the Solway, and southwards may be seen 

 in September in flocks or parties, wandering about in 

 suitable districts in search of food. In the young birds, 

 the bill, or rather the mandibles, are not crossed, and 

 the beautiful crimson colour in the male is not seen the 

 first year. A greenish-orange replaces this in the 



