4 The U'es/ American Scientist. 



THE AMERICAN CROSSBILL. 



The American Crossbill, Loxia Curvirostra, known also by the 

 name of Red Crossbill, is one of the handsomest of our birds, as 

 well as one of the most peculiar. These birds have long been 

 celebrated on account of the singular form of their beak, from 

 which they derive their name. 



In these birds the two mandibles — which are rather long, 

 thick at the base, and much curved, crossing each other at 

 the points, when the bill is closed. In different individuals, even 

 of the same species, the upper and lower mandibles are found 

 variously directed to the right and left. The structure, when first 

 seen looks not unlike a malformation, and to prohibit the bird from 

 picking up seeds or feeding itself in any way. But when seen 

 feeding, it speedily proves itself to be favored with all the ordinary 

 faculties of birds, and to be as capable of obtaining its food as any 

 of the straight-beaked birds. 



The Crossbills obtain their principle food, the seeds of firs and 

 pines, by tearing up the cones. They bring the points of the 

 mandibles together — which they can do so as to pick up a very 

 small seed — and insert them into the cone, when a powerful lateral 

 movement widens the opening quite sufficiently, and the tongue, 

 which terminates in a singular movable scoop, is inserted to detach 

 the seed. It is also very fond of apple-pips, and, settling on a tree 

 where ripe apples are to be found, attacks the fruit with its beak, 

 and in a very few moments cuts a hole fairly into the core,, from 



