OUR HOME BIRDS. 
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deformed. But this very awkward-looking bill is 
only 4 a striking 
proof of the 
wisdom and 
kind superin- 
tending care 
of the Great 
Creator/ The 
food of the 
cross-bill con- 
sists largely of 
the seeds of the 
pine-cone, and 
his queer bill is 
better adapted 
for getting these 
seeds from the 
husks that en- 
close them than 
any other ar- 
rangement that 
could have been 
made. 
“ This bird is 
rather less than FlG * 
six inches long, and is said to change color according 
to its age. It begins with olive-yellow, mixed with 
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