2 
CROSSBILL. 
scattered thickly over at least half an acre of Scotch firs in a plantation a few miles north of Lairg in 
Sutherland. I was driving past, when my attention was attracted by the bright hues of the males ; and 
I then pulled up and watched their movements for at least half an hour. The whole flock were busily 
engaged searching the upper branches of the pines, and gradually drew out of sight over the brow of the hill. 
I remarked that the majority appeared to be birds in red plumage (I was able to distinguish two different shades 
of colour) ; and I did not recognize a single specimen showing signs of immaturity. 
Though the young are without doubt fed principally on insects, the adults derive a large portion of their 
food from the seeds they extract from the cones of the fir. When passing through a wood, it is easy to learn 
if these birds are common in the district, as on examining the fallen cones, those on which they have been 
feeding can be readily distinguished. In several of the fir-woods in Inverness and Ross-shire, I noticed the 
ground in certain spots was thickly covered with the remains of broken cones which had been torn to pieces by 
these birds. 
The note is a sharp whistle repeated two or three times. When once heard it is easily recognized : I have 
frequently identified small parties flying overhead, which I should never have noticed unless my attention had 
been attracted by the note. 
The Crossbill is soon reconciled to confinement, and becomes a most amusing cage-bird. I had many 
opportunities of watching a fine male in the possession of a keeper near Inverness. This bird, which was 
captured in a somewhat singular manner (having been knocked down from a tree by a fir-cone which was 
flung at him), was in the red plumage when taken, hut eventually moulted to a dull green. 
Two different stages of plumage exhibited by the male Crossbill are shown in the Plate. The principal 
figure is taken from an adult in the full breeding-plumage obtained in the spring. The bird with a tinge of 
orange on the feathers is probably immature. This specimen was shot on July 6, 1876. 
