6 
The Irish Naturalist- 
conclusive — taken, of course, in connection with what had 
been previously noticed — that seeds of the Spruce Fir form 
no part of the Crossbill's customary diet during his visits 
to this part of Co. Wexford. 
If naturalists having access to woods where Crossbills 
are settled in other parts of Ireland would take note — as 
is easily done by examining the cones on the ground — as 
to whether the Spruce has entered at all into the bird's bill 
of fare, it would be a considerable help towards a better 
understanding of this subject. It is certainly a great 
mistake to go on grouping the Crossbills into a section 
that feeds on pine-cones and another that feeds on larch - 
and spruce -cones. Our Irish Crossbills would fall into 
neither of those groups — their trees are the Larch and Pine. 
Mr. Seebohm did not, of course, speak without some 
warrant when he described the Common Crossbill as feeding 
chiefly on Spruce. He must have found it doing so in some 
parts of its range during his extensive travels. But it is 
unfortunate that these observations were not checked by 
others made nearer home. I shall be very glad if my own 
notes lead to further evidence being brought forward as 
to the feeding habits of this remarkable bird during its 
present visit to Ireland. 
Bally liylaiid, Co. Wexfortl. 
EDITORIAL. 
The Editors of the Irish Naturalist feel regret, doubtless 
shared by readers, that again after an interval of thirteen 
years, the magazine appears without the name of a 
colleague resident in Ulster. In 1903, Robert Patterson 
joined us, When pressure of work compelled him to give 
up his editorial duties at the end of 1910, Robert J. Welch 
took his place ; he now in his turn feels obliged to seek 
release from this activity. Although it has not been 
possible to secure a northern naturalist to continue the 
work — highly valued and gratefully acknowledged — of 
these two helpers, the Editors enter on the twenty-fifth 
year of the Irish Naturalises career confident of the faithful 
support of friends both in North and South. 
