CRO S SBILL . — Loxia curvirostris. 
The Crossbills, of which three species are known to inhabit England, are 
most remarkable birds, and have long been celebrated on account of the singular 
form of beak from which they derive their name. 
In all these birds, the two mandibles completely cross one another, so that at 
first sight the structure appears to prohibit the bird from picking up seeds or 
feeding itself in any way. But when the Crossbill is seen feeding, it speedily 
proves itself to be favoured with all the ordinary faculties of birds, and to be as 
capable of obtaining its food as any of the straight-beaked birds. 
The food of the Crossbill consists almost, if not wholly, of seeds, which it 
obtains in a very curious manner. It is very fond of apple-pips ; and, settling 
on the tree where ripe apples are to be found, attacks the fruit with its beak, and 
in a very few moments cuts a hole fairly into the “ core/ 5 from which it picks out 
the seeds daintily and eats them, rejecting the ripe pulpy fruit in which they 
had been enveloped. 
This bird is also very fond of the seeds of cone-bearing trees, and haunts the 
pine-forests in great numbers. While engaged in eating, it breaks the cones 
from branches, and, holding them firmly in its feet, after the fashion of the par- 
rots, inserts its beak below the scales, wrenches them away, and with its bone- 
tipped tongue, scoops out the seed. 
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