THE CROSS-BILL. 1GL 



OF THE GKOSBEAKS IN GENERAL. 



IN the Grosbeaks we observe a strong, thick, and convex beak , 

 rounded from the base to the point of each mandible, and admirably 

 adapted for breaking in pieces the shells of the seeds on which they 

 feed. The nostrils are small and round ; and the tongue is formed as 

 if the end were cut off. The toes, except in one species, are placed 

 three forwards. 



THE CROSS-BILL 



The male Cross-bills are red, varied with brown or green ; and at 

 certain seasons of the year they change to 

 deep red, to orange, or pale yellow. The 

 females are of an olive green color, which 

 they also change occasionally. 



Doctor Townson, whilst he resided at 

 Gottingen, possessed several Cross-bills. 

 These, by kind treatment, soon becoming 

 tame, he suffered to be at liberty in his 



VCWVOO-DI.AJAM . -.- ITT 



study, lie had thus constant opportunities 



of observing them, and as often of admiring their docility and 

 sagacity ; but the singular structure of their bills chiefly engaged his 

 attention. 



This structure M. de Buffon, perhaps unthinkingly, and certainly 

 unjustly, has considered as one of Nature's freaks, calculated to render 

 the bird much less essential service than a beak in some other form 

 would have done. But, notwithstanding the apparently awkward 

 and useless shape of this member, it has been found to have the best 

 possible adaptation to the destination and habits of the bird. 



The two mandibles do not lie straight ; but pass, for a considerable 

 part of their length, on the side of each other, like the blades of a pair 

 of scissors. By means of this peculiar construction, the Cross-bills 

 are able to procure their food with the utmost address. They live 

 principally on the seeds that are contained in the cones of the fir or 

 pine; and it is to extract these that this structure is principally 



adapted. In this operation, they fix 

 themselves across the cone, then bring 

 the points of the beak from their 

 crossed or lateral position to be 

 immediately opposite to each other. 

 In this reduced compass, they insin- 

 uate it between the scales, and, dis- 

 tending the two mandibles to their 



usual position sideways, force the scales open; and then, again 

 bringing the points into contact, pick out the seed, in the same manner 

 ta if their bills were formed like those of other birds. While in this 



