232 



COMMON CROSSBILL. 



firs, for the sake of the seeds, which are its natural 

 food : it is said to do a deal of mischief to orchards 

 by splitting the apples to get at the seeds ; and it 

 is so intent when feeding on the cones of the firs 

 (which it holds in its claws like a parrot), that a 

 noose may be put over its head, without its at- 

 tempting to fly away : it is discovered by the twit- 

 tering noise it makes while feeding. 



In North America and Greenland this bird is 

 very common, and is said to build its nest in the 

 highest parts of the firs, making use of the resin- 

 ous matter that exudes from them for fixing it to 

 the trees ; it breeds in January or February, and 

 the young are ready to fly by March. 



Mr. Pennant mentions receiving a large variety 

 out of Shropshire, which had the beak remarkably 

 thick and short, more curvated and blunt than 

 usual. It is called the German Parrot by many, 

 from its singular mode of scrambling about its 

 cage, and the beauty of its colours : they are fed 

 by the German bird-catchers with poppy and other 

 small seeds, which they eat with the greatest 

 avidity. 



