THE CROSSBILL. 129 



" When one of the birds utters it, all are on the 

 alert, and if he flies the whole flock takes wing. 

 ' Gop ' is ' Come back.' When one bird is away from 

 the others and they cry ' Gop ! ' he immediately re- 

 turns to the flock." 



Both male and female are pretty singers. Their 

 song is copious and melodious, but very tender and 

 soft, especially that of the female. As the birds are 

 hardy and easily kept, it is a httle surprising that they 

 are not more often caged and made pets of. Certainly 

 they are far more interesting than canaries, and more 

 satisfactory in every way than the wild and suspicions 

 creatures whom we keep cruelly and closely confined, 

 > because if we afford them the shghtest opportunity 

 they will fly away never to return. There are numer- 

 ous species of crossbeaks, many of which are found na- 

 tive to the United States, but all have their plumage 

 more or less marked with the crimson stains alluded 

 to by Longfellow in his beautiful little translated 

 poem on this bird, called 



THE LEGEND OP THE CROSSBILL. 

 From the German of Julius Mosen. 



On the cross the dying Saviour 

 Heavenward lifts his eyelids calm ; 



Feels, but scarcely feels, a trembling 

 In his pierced and bleeding palm. 



And by all the world forsaken. 



Sees he how with zealous care, 

 At the ruthless nail of iron, 



A little bird is striving there. 



