140 
The Crossbills 
bills may be coaxed to come near by fastening ears of popcorn firmly to 
conspicuous branches, or even unsalted popcorn balls. 
As might be expected, a bird of so unique construction has given 
rise to many speculations, some scientific, others legendary and senti- 
mental, as to its origin. If its beak is a development to meet food- 
conditions, will it be gradually modified by the cutting down of the forests 
of conifers? Or will the Crossbills slip away with other extinct species 
like the Auk and the Labrador Duck? 
“In the cold winter 1875 to 1876 the parts of Chicago and the 
suburbs around the city,” Henry Nehrling writes, “swarmed with Cross- 
bills and other northern birds. They came into my garden and to the 
windows of my house at Oak Park, Illinois, picking up crumbs, pieces 
of fat and tallow, hemp, millet, canary-seed, cuttlefish-bone, and even salt. 
Quite a number were caught and kept in a cage, 
Gentle together with Pine Grosbeaks and Redpolls, which 
all lived in perfect harmony. . . . When I had 
caught one in a trap-cage the other of the pair did not leave its mate, but 
hopped around in great distress, uttering exceedingly mournful notes.” 
Classification and Distribution 
The CrossbilL are finches of the Order Passeres, Suborder O seines, and 
Family Fringillida . The scientific name of the Red Crossbill is Loxia curvirostra 
minor, it being classified as the North American race of the Crossbill of 
northern Europe ( Loxia curvirostra) . It dwells in summer between the northern 
forests of the United States and the headwaters of the Yukon River, and wanders 
irregularly southward in winter. There is also a southwestern race ( Loxia c . 
stricklandi) which inhabits the mountain-tops and high plateaus from central 
New Mexico to Guatemala. 
The scientific name of the White-winged Crossbill is Loxia leucoptera. It 
breeds in Alaska and northern Canada, and in the mountains of northern New 
England, and visits the United States irregularly. 
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