286 
LOXIA CUHVIHOSTKA. 
GENUS XXXV. — LOXIA, Brissov, 
185. I.OSIA runvinosTKA, un.s'.eus. 
CURriEOSTEA AMERICANA, WILSON. AJIERICAN CROSSEILl- 
WILSON, PLATE XXSI. FIG. III. YOUNG MALE. 
rDINBIIRGII COLLEGE MUSF.UM. 
O.v first {Tlancing at the bill of this extraordinary bir^ 
one is apt to pronounce it deformed and monstrous > 
but on attentively observin,^ the use to which it 
applied by the owner, and tlie dexterity with ivhich b® 
detaches the seeds of the pine tree from the cone, 
from tlie husks that enclose them, rve are oblijifed t** 
confess, on this, as on many other occasions, ivhere 
have judg-ed too hastily of the operations of Nature, tlu* 
no other conformation could have been so cxcelleuW 
adapted to the purpose ; and that its deviation from 
common form, instead of being a defect or moustrosil.f’ 
as the celebrated French naturalist insinuates, 
striking proof of the wisdom and kind superinteiuli*'^ 
care of the great Creator. 
This species is a regular inhabitant of almost all 
pine forests situated north of 40°, from the beginiiiUe 
of September to tlie middle of April. It is not i>®' 
probable that some of them remain during sunio*^ 
within the teridtory of the United States to brer • 
Their numbers must, however, be comparatively 
as 1 have never yet met with any of them in sumniUf' 
though I took a journey to the (ireat Pine Swaw 
beyond Pocauo mountain, in Northampton couidP 
Pennsylvania, in the month of May, expressly b’ 
that purpose; and raiLsacked, for six or seven day*^ 
the gloomy recesses of that extensive and desol* ^ 
morass, without being able to discover a single urp*® 
bill. In fall, however, as well as in "winter and spru'4| 
this tract apjiears to be their favourite rendezvoU”^ 
particularly about the head waters of the Lehiglb 1 
banks of the Tobyhanna, Tunkhannock, and 
