1916. Carroll — Crossbill in Co. Tipperary. 71 
hatching five eggs of the greenish type, at a height of nearly 80 
feet. When disturbed she became very excited, but her shrill 
cries failed to attract the male. Two sets of three and four eggs, 
which I examined ten days later, were probably second layings ; 
but one nest was interesting, as, barely 35 feet up, it was at the 
end of a bough exactly 30 feet from the bole. All the above 
were in Scotch Pines. 
In 1914 building commenced on March 2nd, and by the 18th 
three nests contained sets of four, three, and four eggs. These 
were also in Scotch Pines growing in belts of mixed conifers in 
the favourite area. The first, 60 feet high on a lateral bough, 
was in such an exposed position that a recent snow-storm had 
thoroughly soaked it. The second was 50 feet up the main stem, 
while the third, which was very near some farm buildings, was 
only 20 feet from the ground, at the end of a weak bough with a 
downward slope. I could not induce the bird to stir, although I 
rustled the foliage around her head with a long bamboo. Later, 
as I was roping myself to the body of the tree — so that I could 
reach out to the nest- -the cock arrived and began calling from an 
Alder sapling a short distance away. The sitting bird at once 
replied with some low sweet twitterings. 
On March 31st I examined another nest with four poorly 
marked eggs, in the umbrella-top of a bare-stemmed Larch, 
35 feet high. I was up to two more nests on April 4th ; one, 
which had been deserted, was only 15 feet high at the end of a 
long Scotch Pine bough, hanging over a lane, within a few feet 
of an inhabited cottage, and the children had been pelting stones 
at the birds. The two eggs were stuck to the inside of the nest. 
The other was also only 15 feet from the ground, in a Spruce 
growing on the edge of a plantation, beside a gate. While I was 
stretching out to the nest the bird sat facing me, and as my hand 
approached she caught and gently nibbled it. I lifted her off, 
showed her to those below, and then launched her into the air. 
She flew a couple of feet and, returning swiftly to the branch, 
settled on the eggs. Again I launched her into space, but she 
returned instantly. This was repeated several times. The four 
eggs were unusually large and beautifully scrolled, quite the 
