204 THE BIRDS OF NORTHAMPTONSHIRE 



Eev. E. Sylvester, Rector of Deene, told Lady Lilford, 

 for my benefit, that two pairs of Crossbills had nested 

 and reared broods in some fir-trees in his garden at 

 that place during the previous spring. As 1 felt 

 some doubt as to correct identification in this case, 

 I wrote to my informant, and received a reply which 

 convinced me that the story was perfectly true. 

 This species is an irregular visitor to most parts of 

 Great Britain. It is recorded by Professor Newton, 

 in the fourth edition of Yarrell's ' British Birds,' as 

 having been known to nest in seventeen English 

 counties ; but in most parts of the country it is 

 regarded as a winter migrant, though to this there 

 are many exceptions, e. g. one to our knowledge in 

 which large numbers of Crossbills appeared in the 

 month of June in the neighbourhood of Holsworthy 

 in North Devon. This species is essentially a denizen 

 of the fir-woods, the seeds of the various conifers 

 forming its principal and favourite food. The Cross- 

 bill breeds frequently and regularly in many parts of 

 Scotland, and, according to various observers, usually 

 commences its nesting-operations early in March, for 

 the most part selecting the horizontal bough of a fir ; 

 but on this subject we can only speak on the authority 

 of others, and therefore abstain from any details 

 except to mention that a nest taken in Scotland, and 

 sent to me with four eggs some years ago, is built of 

 twigs of Scotch fir and lined with coarse grass and 

 a very little wool. The Crossbill is more or less 

 common in suitable localities in all parts of Europe. 

 We have met with it in great abundance in the 

 Canton de Vaud, Switzerland, from November till 

 April, but could not succeed in finding a nest. In 

 Spain we met with it in the month of June in the 



