GEOUXD FINCHES. 
183 
^vingclom, during tlieir occasional visits, they commit 
great havoc in the apple and pear orchards, hy splitting 
the fruit in halves, for the sake of the enclosed pips. 
Their principal support, however, is derived from the 
.seeds of the various firs.” 
According to Willoughby and the older authors, the 
Crossbill possesses a pleasant song, only heard during 
the winter months, which, unlike most other birds, is 
the season of its incubation. 
It is a native of the pine forests of Grermany, Poland, 
Sweden, and other northern countries. Its form is 
rather thick, and its legs strong but short, and with 
long and hooked claws. The muscles attached to the 
bill are very powerful, giving a large and dispropor- 
tionate appearance to the head. 
The manners of these birds are said to be interestinc: 
in confinement (to which they become speedily accus- 
tomed), climbing along the wires of the cage in any 
direction, by means of their bill and claws, in a similar 
manner to the parrots. 
The Common Bullfinch {^yrrliula vulyaris) is a 
native of the northern parts of Europe, and is only 
known in the more southern provinces as a bird of 
passage. It is stationary in our island, and very 
common in the mountain forests of Germany. This 
species is a very beautiful bird, chiefly dwelling in the 
wooded districts. It is retired in its habits; and 
throughout the winter months five or six individuals, 
the brood of the year, associate in families. In the 
spring these separate; the birds pair, and begin to 
form their nests. The natural song of the BuUfinch 
