BIRDS OF DUMFRIESSHIRE 
THE SCOTTISH CROSSBILL. 
Loxia curvirostra acotica, Hartert. 
Three example, have occurred, bat others may have pa.«d undetected. 
The exact range of the Scottish CrossbiU is as yet uncertain 
but It appears to be confined to the forests of Scots fir 
in the central and northern parts of Scotland, where the 
bird IS a resident. The occurrence of this form of the 
CrossbiU in southern Scotland appears to be very rare, and 
It IS therefore interesting to note that on examining with 
Mr H. F. Witherby the specimens of Crossbills in the 
coUection of Mr. R. Martin, we found that a male and 
female which had been shot at Dardarroch in November, 
1887 undoubtedly belonged to the Scottish race ; while 
another specimen, unfortunately without date, was also 
ot this form. CrossbiUs were plentiful at Dardarroch in the 
winter of 1887-1888, but unfortunately these are the only 
two birds in Mr. Martin's possession obtained during that 
winter, and two others shot in December, 1888, are un- 
doubtedly of the continental form. On the other hand, a 
specimen obtained near our border at Shambelhe (Kirkcud- 
^f^^f'^^''^ y®*"^ 1887, and kindly submitted by 
Mr. W. Stewart on my behalf to Mr. Witherby for examina- 
tion, proves to be an example of the Scottish CrossbiU 
although others obtained about the same time at ShambeUie 
belong to the continental form. Mr. Witherby and I have 
examined a number of other specimens of the CrossbiU 
obtained m different localities in Dumfriesshire and have 
tound them aU to belong to the continental race, so that for 
tne present, in any case, we must regard the Scottish CrossbiU 
as a very rare visitor to Dumfriesshire. 
This interesting local form of the CrossbiU, which has 
been separated by Dr. E. Hartert on account of its higher 
H 
