some natural histort records. 429 



3. — Phenomenal Appearance of Crossbills. 

 To the long list of ills with which apple-growers in the 

 West had to cope during the summer months, a formidable one 

 was added in the autumn. What fruit escaped the ravages of 

 the codlin moth, the effects of the prolonged drought, and two 

 or three storms, was rapidly destroyed in October by several 

 large flocks of Crossbills. Interesting as these birds may be to 

 ornithologists, and rare as are their visits west of the Tamar in 

 flocks, they proved too destructive this season to be encouraged 

 to make a lengthy stay. Boring their way to the core of the 

 apple from the top, in search of the seed, they are not long in 

 spoiling extensive crops. They were first noticed at Ponsanooth 

 on October 3rd, and in less than a fortnight from that date 

 records of spoliation were forthcoming from all parts of the 

 county. 



The Cornish history of the crossbill is full of interest. 

 Carew, in his Survey of Cornwall, and Childrey, in his Britannia 

 Baconica, speak of a bird which visited Cornwall in large 

 numbers one year during the reign of Queen Elizabeth, and 

 " made a foule spoyle of the Apples." Carew's description is so 

 quaint as to be worthy of reproduction. He says : " Not long 

 sithence, there came a flocke of birds into Cornwall about 

 harvest season, in bignesse not much exceeding a sparrow, 

 which made a foule spoyle of the Apples. Their bils were 

 thwarted crosswise at the end, and with these they would cut an 

 Apple in two at one snap, eating only the kernels." Childrey 

 accounted for their presence in the western-most county, that 

 year, by the failure of fruit in adjoining counties, where they 

 were partial residents. From the date of this remarkable 

 appearance to Borlase's time, the crossbill was a comparative 

 stranger to Cornwall ; but with the planting of ornamental 

 conifers, on the cones of which these birds greedily feed, they 

 have crossed the border more frequently. In July, 1868, 

 according to Rodd and others, there was a phenomenal immi- 

 gration. Large flocks were noticed in several parts of the 

 county, and many a cabinet was that year enriched by fine 

 specimens. 



