166 Mr. Peabody on the 
x ; & 
common near Williamstown, in the autumn of 1836, 
which was unusually gloomy and cold. They are 
, splendid birds, but so great strangers here, that they 
= hardly merit a description. 
MT Lr oe ; 
— The Common Crosser, Loria curvirostra, be- 
longs to northern regions, and comes to us during the 
= winter, in search of food. It delights in the seeds 
of evergreens, and makes use of its singular bill to 
extract them, holding the cones in its claw, like the 
parrot, while it forces the seed vessels open. At the 
south itis in the habit of tearing apples to pieces, 
for the sake of extracting the seeds. Wilson says, 
that in deep snows, it is familiar at the cabin of the 
hunter; when disturbed, it flies only to the roof and 
soon descends to the ground, to feed as before. When 
better food is wanting, it sometimes relieves the sen- 
sation of hunger by swallowing bits of clay. When 
engaged in eating, it may be seen standing on one 
foot and feeding itself with the other. It sometimes 
employs its bill to aid itself in the act of climbing. 
Audubon has not succeeded in finding the nest of 
this bird, but he has explained the difference of 
markings as connected with its particular age. 
M 
The WHITE-WINGED CrossgiLu, Loria leucoptera, 
visits us, like the former, in the winter season. It 
is more common perhaps than the other, but still is 
rare. ]t comes in large flocks, and then is not seen 
forseveral years. In form and habits it resembles 
the other; but is a much handsomer bird. It i$ 
known by its colors, black and crimson, and by the 
White bands upon the wings. 
