140 BIRD GALLERY. 



No. 9. SISKIN. (Chrysomitris spinus.) 



Breeds regularly in many parts of Scotland, more rarely in England 

 and Ireland, where it is principally known as a winter visitor. The 

 nest is usually situated in pine-woods and difficult to find, being placed 

 in the fork of a horizontal branch some distance from the stem, and at 

 a considerable height from the ground. The eggs are five or six in 

 number, and two broods are generally reared in the season, the first 

 leaving the nest early in May. 



Co. Wicklow, April. 



Presented by Allan Ellison, Esq. 



No. lO. CROSSBILL. (Loxia curvirostra.) 



A somewhat rare and local resident in our islands, more often met 

 with in the northern and central counties of Scotland and parts of 

 Ireland, though it has been known to breed in numerous instances in 

 England. The peculiar shape of its bill is admirably adapted for 

 tearing open the cones of pine and larch to extract the seeds, which form 

 its principal food. The nest is usually situated in a pine-tree some 

 distance (in the present instance 37 feet) from the ground and contains 

 four or five eggs which are laid as early as February or March. 

 The male in this group is probably a bird in its second year and has 

 not yet assumed the red plumage by which very old males are 

 distinguished. 



Co. Waterford, March. 



Presented by R. J. Ussher, Esq. 



No. 11. LINNET. (Linota cannabina.) 



Universally distributed throughout the British Islands, but rare in 

 the north of Scotland. The nest is generally placed in gorse or other 

 low bushes, and the eggs, four to six in number, are laid in the end of 

 April or beginning of May, a second brood being often reared later in 

 the season. 



Leicestershire, May. 



Presented by Theodore Walker, Esq. 



No. 12. LESSER REDPOLL. (Liuota rufesceus.) 



This bird was at one time supposed to be restricted to the British 

 Isles during the breeding-season, but it has now beea ascertained to 



