286 
LOXIA CURVIROSTRA 
GENUS XXXV.— LOXIA, Brisson. 
185. LOXIA CURVIROSTRA , LINNJEUS, 
CURVIROSTRA AMERICANA , WILSON AMERICAN CROSSBILL, 
WILSON, PLATE XXXI. FIG. III. YOUNG MALE. 
EDINBURGH COLLEGE MUSEUM. 
On first glancing 1 at the bill of this extraordinary bird 
one is apt to pronounce it deformed and monstrous ; 
but on attentively observing the use to which it is 
applied by the owner, 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, where we 
have judged too hastily of the operations of Nature, that 
no other conformation could have been so excellently 
adapted to the purpose ; and that its deviation from the 
common form, instead of being a defect or monstrosity, 
as the celebrated French naturalist insinuates, is a 
striking proof of the wisdom and kind superintending 
care of the great Creator. 
This species is a regular inhabitant of almost all our 
pine forests situated north of 40°, from the beginning 
of September to the middle of April. It is not im- 
probable that some of them remain during summer 
within the territory of the United States to breed. 
Their numbers must, however, be comparatively few, 
as I have never yet met with any of them in summer ; 
though I took a journey to the Great Pine Swamp 
beyond Pocano mountain, in Northampton county, 
Pennsylvania, in the month of May, expressly for 
that purpose; and ransacked, for six or seven days, 
the gloomy recesses of that extensive and desolate 
morass, without being able to discover a single cross- 
bill. In fall, however, as well as in winter and spring, 
this tract appears to be their favourite rendezvous; 
particularly about the head waters of the Lehigh, the 
banks of the Tobyhanna, Tunkhannock, and Bear 
Jt 0 . 
yv£*A/i (A# 
CWvtJU 6-t 
