CROSS-EILL. 
every thing has it's utility ; and each sentient 
being learns to draw advantage even from it's 
defers. This bill, hooked upwards and dovv n- 
Avards, and bent in o])p(;site directions, seems 
to have been formed for the purpose of de- 
taching the scales of lir-cones, and obtaining 
the seeds lodged beneath, which constitute the 
principal food of the bird. It raises each scale 
with it^s lower mandible, and breaks it off 
with the upper. This bill also assists it''s 
owner in climbing ; and, when caged, it dex- 
terously mounts from the lower to the upper 
bars. It^s mode of scrambling, and the beauty 
of it*s colours, have occasioned it to be called, 
by some, the German Parrot. 'I he Cross- 
Bill inhabits only the cold climates, or the 
mountains in temperate countries. It is found 
in Sweden, in Poland, in Germany, in Svsit- 
zerland, and among the Alps and Pyrenees. 
It is quite stationary in countries where it hvcs 
the whole year : but, sometimes, it acciden- 
tally appears in large flocks, in other regions. 
In 1756, and 1757, great numbers were seen 
in the neighbourhood of London. They do 
not arrive at stated seasons, but seem to be ra- 
ther diredled by chance, and many years pass 
without 
