38 
AMERICAN CROSSBILL. 
and the dexterity with which he detaches the seeds of the pine 
tree from the cone, and from the husks that enclose them, we 
are obliged to confess, on this, as on many other occasions, 
group, being composed of at most four species, provided that of America 
be proved distinct, or one differing from those of Europe be found in 
the former continent. Their distribution appears to extend pretty generally 
over the north of Europe, decreasing in numbers to the south, and over North 
America. In form, all the members are similar. They are endowed with 
considerable power of flight ; are of a thick, stout make, and in addition to 
the curiously formed bill, possess scansorial habits, using their bills and feet 
to disengage the seeds from the fir cones, when in confinement, holding their 
food like a Parrot in the latter member, and by the same means climbing 
about the wires of the cage. 
Regarding the identity of our author’s species with that of this country, I 
am uncertain, not having a specimen of the bird from America. Wilson 
thinks it distinct, and I have been told the same thing by Audubon. On the 
other hand, we have the authority of Bonaparte, who thus writes in his 
Observations on Wilson's Nomenclature : — “ I think Wilson was in error when 
he considered this bird a new species, and stated that it differs considerably 
from the European. He probably compared it with the L. pytiopsittacus, 
and not with the curvirostra, with which latter it is identical. Wilson’s new 
names must therefore be rejected, and the name of Loxia curvirostra must be 
restored to this bird.” Our author was also incorrect in remarking, that “ the 
young males, as is usual with most other birds, very much resemble the 
female.” The fact is, that the young of all the Crossbills, as well as that of 
Pyrrhula enucleator, contrary to the habit of the generality of birds, lose their 
red colour as they advance in age, instead of gaining an additional brilliancy of 
plumage. The figure which our author gives as that of an adult male, 
represents a young bird of about one year, and his supposed female is a 
remarkably fine adult male. 
The species of this group, then, are, — L. pytiopsittacus, or Parrot-billed 
Crossbill of Europe, and which Bonaparte also hints the possibility of finding 
in America, a circumstance I should think very likely, — the L. leucoptera, 
and the L. curvirostra ; but I fear we must remain uncertain whether the last 
constitutes one or two, until the examination of numerous specimens from 
both countries decide the point. The haunts of our common species in 
Europe are the immense northern pine forests, where their chief food is 
the seeds of the fir cones ; from thence, after breeding, they appear to migrate 
to various parts southward, in comparatively small flocks, at uncertain intervals. 
This is the case with those which visit Britain. They must hatch very early, 
arriving in this country by the middle of June ; the females at that time bear 
all the marks of incubation, but have never yet been authentically proved to breed 
