PERCHING BIRDS 
521. Crossbill. Loxia curvirostra minor. 
Range.— Northern North America, breeding 
in the Alleghanies and from northern New 
England northward; winters south to the mid- 
dle portions of the United States and casually 
farther. 
■■ I , 
The birds are very cur- 
ious both in appearance and 
actions, being very “flighty” 
and restless, and apt to re- 
main to breed on any of the 
mountains. They build dur 
ing March or April, making 
their nests of twigs, rootlets, 
moss, feathers, etc., and placing them in forks 
or on branches of trees (usually conifers) at 
any height from the ground. The eggs are 
greenish white, spotted with brown and with 
lavender shell markings; size .75 x .55. 
Greenish white 
521a. Mexican Crossbill. Loxia curviros- 
tra stricklandi. Crossbill 
Range. — Mountain ranges from central Mexico north to Wyoming. 
A larger variety of the preceding. The eggs will not differ except perhaps 
a trifle in size. 
522. White-winged Crossbill. Loxia leucoptera. 
Range.- — Northern North America, breeding in the Alle- 
ghanies and from northern Maine northward; winters to 
middle portions of the United States. 
This species is rosy red with two white wing bars. Like 
the last, they are of a roving disposition and are apt to 
be found in any unexpected locality. Their nesting habits 
are the same as those of the American Crossbill, but the 
eggs average larger and the Greenish white 
markings are more blotchy; size .80 x .55. 
.97 x .67. 
523. Aleutian Rosy Finch. Leucosticte 
griseonucha. 
Range".— Aleutian and Pribilof Islands; south 
to Kadiak. 
This is the largest of the genus, and can 
be distinguished from the others by its very 
dark chestnut coloration and the gray hindneck 
and cheeks. Like the other 
Leucostictes, they are 
found in flocks and fre- 
quent rocky or mountain 
ous country, where they 
are nearly always found 
on the ground. They build 
in crevices among the 
rocks or under ledges or 
embankments, making the 
nest of weeds and grasses, 
pure white eggs are laid during June. 
,97 x .67. Data. — St. George Islands of 
327 
White-winged Crosbill 
White 
Their four or five 
Size 
the 
