THE CROSS-BILL AND THE LITTLE WARBLER. 65 /f 
digs into it the upper part of his bill, -which i^^y 
like a hook, and giving a jerk forces out tB|,/ 
seed ; then with his other foot he carries if 'to 
his mouth, after the fashion of a parrot. 
If he can get apples, of which he is very 
fond, he cuts them in two with his bill, using 
it like a pair of scissors ; and picks out the 
pippens, and eats them. 
The cross-bills live in the pine forest during 
the winter, and when spring comes go further 
north to rear their young. But it has hap- 
pened that the woodcutters, who have been 
felling pines, in frost and snow, have found a 
nest of cross-bills, with young ones in it ; 
and the poor little birds have been jerked out, 
as the tree began to fall. 
The cross-bills live in flocks ; and, though so 
hardy, are often pressed for food in very cold 
weather. Then they lose all fear, and alight 
at the door of the woodman's cabin; and for 
want of better fare, pick out the clay with 
which he has plastered his logs. And so in- 
tent are they on satisfying their hunger, that 
he may go close to them, and even kill them 
with a stick. 
The plumage of the cross-bill is of a bril- 
