TWO-BARRED CROSSBILL. 



{Loxia hifasciata.) 



' I 'HE Crossbills are nearly allied to the Bull- 

 A finches, but are remarkable for the curious 

 way in which their mandibles cross each other. 



This conformation of the bill is only seen in 

 old birds, as in the young ones the bill is like 

 that of ordinary Finches, and does not show 

 any sign of the ultimate aberration in the position 

 of the mandibles. 



Many of our readers will be familiar with the 

 pretty rendering by Longfellow of the ancient 

 legend regarding the way in which the Crossbill 

 obtained its abnormal bill : — 



4* 



