CrossBILL. PASSERES. LOXIA. 253 
twitter, which it constantly repeats when feeding ; and a loud- 
er one, uttered when on wing, not unlike that of the Green- 
finch, but rather shriller. According to WiLLoueuBy, and 
the older authors, it also possesses a pleasant song, only heard 
during the winter months, or season of incubation. 
It is a native of the pine forests of Germany, Poland, 
Sweden, and other northern countries, breeding (as before 
stated) during the winter, or the earliest period of spring.— 
The nest is placed in the fork of a branch, and composed of Nest, &c. 
moss, lichens, &c. lined with feathers. ‘The eggs are four or 
five in number, greyish-white, marked at the larger end with 
irregular patches of arterial blood-red, with smaller specks 
dispersed over the other parts. According to TremmMinck, 
and other eminent continental ornithologists, the ‘‘ Loxia 
“* curvirostra” major of GMELIN and Latuam, considered as 
a variety, is in fact distinct; and from its peculiar charac- 
ters being well-defined and invariable, ought not to be con- 
founded with the present species. The above mentioned 
bird must, doubtless, have been the supposed variety of the 
Crossbill mentioned by Pennant; and which he describes 
as larger, and very rare; with the bill remarkably thick and 
short, more arched than that of the ‘‘ Curvirostra,” and ha- 
ving the ends of the mandibles not so sharp, nor drawn to 
so fine a point. The specimens received by him (a male and 
female) were killed in Shropshire; from whence it would 
appear, that this species (Loxia pytiopsittacus of TemMINcx) 
is entitled to rank in the British Fauna, as an occasional vi- 
sitant. 
The commen Crossbill is of a thick foe ; its legs are 
strong, but short, and with long and hooked claws, well 
adapted for taking firm hold. 
The muscles attached to the bill are very powerful, giving 
a large and disproportionate appearance to the head. The 
crossing of the mandible is not always on the same side, as I 
have repeatedly observed in the specimens killed, and have 
accordingly thus represented in the plate. 
