2 FEINGILLIDJE. 



Loaria curvirostra, Common Crossbill, FLKM. Brit. An. p. 76. 



SELBV, Brit. Ornith. vol. i. p. 329. 



JENYNS, Brit. Vert. p. 141. 



GOULD, Birds of Europe, pt. xv. 



Beocroise commun, TEMM. Man. d'Ornith. vol. i. p. 328. 



LOXIA. Generic characters. Beak rather long, thick at the base, much com- 

 pressed, strong, very convex, the mandibles crossing each other at the points. 

 Nostrils round, basal, lateral, defended by incumbent setaceous feathers. Wings 

 pointed ; the first quill-feather the longest. Tarsus very short ; toes and claws 

 strong ; hinder toe longer than the tarsus ; claws curved and sharp. Tail short, 

 forked. 



THE history of the Common Crossbill, in this country, at 

 least, was involved in some obscurity; and though these 

 birds were more abundant here during the greater part of 

 1836, '37, and "38, than has been known for some years 

 before, but few instances have occurred in which the eggs or 

 nestlings were taken. These birds are most frequently seen 

 in flocks between the latter part of the month of June and 

 the beginning of February ; but Mr. Hoy has watched 

 them closely in Suffolk, and satisfied himself that the same 

 birds remained till May ; and Mr. Joseph Clarke of Saffron 

 Walden, who has also paid great attention to this species, 

 has recorded his having seen them during every successive 

 month of one entire year in the plantations about Saffron 

 Walden, yet he could never learn that they then made any 

 attempt to breed. Mr. Bullock long ago suspected that 

 the Crossbill bred in this country, having received young 

 birds from the vicinity of Bath early in July. Large flocks 

 were observed in this country in 1821. Mr. Selby in the 

 month of June of that year obtained many, the females of 

 which showed plainly, from the denuded state of their 

 breasts, that they had lately been engaged in incubation. 

 White of Selborne obtained Crossbills there in summer, and 

 found that the females were in the same state as to plumage 

 as those examined by Mr. Selby. Mr. Knapp has observed 



