10 
Bicknell on the Nesting of the Red Crossbill. 
almost unique among our birds. Here we have a species breeding 
within hearing distance of the songs of Siurus motacilla and other 
birds of similar distribution, whose proper breeding range, so far as 
known, is within the confines of the Canadian Fauna, where the 
severities of midwinter seem to afford it a congenial environment 
while rearing its young. 
I further learn from Mr. Boardman that the species in question 
“ is a very common breeding bird all through the forests of North- 
ern Maine, from January to July, but not every year,” and that 
eggs which he has received have usually been frozen in transporta- 
tion. Yet I have repeatedly observed the species in flocks about 
New York City in late spring and early summer. Mr. R. F. Pear- 
sall informs me that he has shot it on Long Island in midsummer,* 
and we have other records of its occurrence southward at that 
season irrespective of elevation. It has even been noticed in the 
Bermudas from March to May.t Is it that these roving bands 
are late broods of the preceding year, which breed correspondingly 
later than early broods, or does the species not attain its perfect 
adult state till its second year 1 In the former case we would have 
a unique instance of the southernmost representatives of a species 
breeding considerably later than the most northern. As for the 
latter supposition it seems to find some support, not only from 
general evidence, but in the fact that in male and female specimens 
taken at Riverdale in May the reproductive organs are seasonably 
undeveloped, while the male, at least, is certainly not in perfect 
adult plumage. The above-mentioned instance of its breeding 
seems to be an exceptional case, for, though others were constantly 
present, it is scarcely probable that they were nesting, as after 
May 10 none were observed. 
I learn from Dr. A. K. Fisher, however, that this same year the 
species was last seen at Sing-Sing on April 1, when a female shot 
from a flock of eight had the ovaries well developed. 
We find that in various localities in the State of Maine the ex- 
tremes of mean temperature for the months of January and February 
are about 11° and 24°, while in New York City the average tempera- 
ture for April and May, 1875, was nearly 51°. Here we have an 
* A flock being found feeding on the seeds of a low, second growth of grass, 
in a mowed field. Here we have an instance of decided variation in habits with 
changed conditions. 
t Prof. Baird, Am. Jour. Sci., Yol. XLI, May, 1866, p. 30. 
