4 6 



of the havoc which this bird commits in destroying the buds 

 of various fruit trees is so generally known that it would be 

 superfluous to add to the already extensive literature on this 

 subject. It may be important ' to note, however, that while 

 some gardens are subject to the annual depredations of this 

 bird, others, even where it is common, are free from its attacks. 

 Of the 23 post-mortem records given in the above table, 1 

 example only contained fruit buds (? plum). The 8 examples 

 which were shot on fruit trees (Nos. 276-283) and were 

 forwarded with the note that they had been destroying 

 the buds, had, we find, regaled themselves with the seeds of the 

 sycamore. Whether these examples had destroyed the buds 

 or not, it is quite clear that they had not regaled themselves 

 with any portion of them ; it is possible, therefore, that the birds 

 were shot before they had time to eat the buds. Otherwise 

 the destruction of the buds must be put down as a piece of 

 wanton mischief. 



299^. Seeds of Self heal. — During the months of July, August 

 and September this bird subsists very largely on the seeds of 

 Selfheal (Prunella vulgaris). I do not know if this habit is at 

 all general, but in certain parts of Gloucestershire I have 

 watched it for hours together feeding exclusively upon the seeds 

 of this noxious weed. The fruit is extracted quite easily, and 

 by far the greater proportion is eaten unripe (see also Nos. 289, 

 290). 



2995. Seeds of Composites and Nettles. — The seeds of certain 

 composites are also eaten occasionally, especially those of the 

 dandelion (Taraxicum officinale) and a species of hawkweed 

 (Hieracium pilosella) which is found abundantly in the elevated 

 pasture lands of the Cotswolds in Gloucestershire. This habit I 

 have noted in the fen lands of Cambridgeshire, Gloucestershire, 

 Norfolk and Cheshire. The seeds of the nettle (Urtica dioica) 

 are also eaten in large quantities, and extensive beds of this 

 plant in waste places and hedgerows are favourite resorts for 

 this bird during the autumn and winter months. 



Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra, Linn.). 



300. Male ; Whitchurch, Salop ; 14th February, 1895. — 

 Seeds of the Scots pine ; many pure white quartz pebbles. 



