150 FR1NGILLIDE. 



1NSESSORES. FRINQ1LLIDJE. 



CONIROSTBES. 



PLATE CXVIIL 



WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL. 

 Loxia leucoptera. {Gmel.) 



This small species is less common, and consequently less 

 known in Europe, than the two preceding ones. It is a 

 native of the northern parts of America, and is found in 

 great numbers in the countries about Hudson's Bay, accord- 

 ing to Temminck, where it inhabits extensive forests of pine. 

 In summer its range extends, according to Dr. Richardson, as 

 high as the 62nd degree of N. latitude, and probably higher. 

 In winter these birds visit in flocks the shores of Lake 

 Ontario, Canada, and the northern portions of the United 

 States ; but, like the other two species of Crossbill, they 

 are very irregular and uncertain in their migrations. 



The localities in which these birds are chiefly found are 

 low, marshy forests of pine and other firs, and their food 

 consists almost entirely of the seeds procured from their 

 cones ; they feed in flocks, and fly in scattered parties from 

 tree to tree, uttering a twittering or chirping note. 



The White-winged Crossbill is stated by the Prince of 

 Musignano to build on the branches of pine-trees ; the nest 

 is composed of grasses, cemented together with earth, and 

 lined with feathers ; the young birds are able to fly in June, 

 and remain with their parents, accompanying them in their 

 autumnal movements and migrations. According to the same 



