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PARROT CROSSBILL. 
Loxia pityopsittacus , Bewick. Fleming. 
“ curvirostra major, fas a variety,) Gmelin. Latham. 
Loxia. Loxos — Curved—oblique. Pityopsittacus. Pittiis — A pine tree. 
Psittacus — A Parrot. 
This species, as by many-eminent naturalists it is considered, 
is an inhabitant of the high northern latitudes of Europe* 
It is found in Germany also, and is occasionally met with in 
Holland, Switzerland, and France, as well as in Sweden and 
Norway. 
In this country they are but rare visitants, and only appear 
now and then, Tongo post intervallo.’ A pair were received 
by Pennant from Shropshire; one was shot in Surrey; and 
another was obtained in Epping Forest, Essex, in the autumn 
of 1885. One was shot at Saxham, in Suffolk, in November, 
1850; and one some years previously at Biddlesworth Hall, 
Norfolk, as recorded by Alfred Newton, Esq., of Elveden 
Hall, Thetford, in the ‘Zoologist,’ page 3145. Several were 
sold in the London market in March, 1838; and one shot at 
Harrow-on-the-Hill, Middlesex, on the 21st. of January, 1850. 
Mr. Chaffey, of Dodington, Kent, informs me that he saw 
a small flock of these birds in a larch plantation there in 
September, 1851. 
In Scotland two have occurred. 
In Ireland, one was shot by Kainey Maxwell, Esq., at 
Grenville, near Belfast, in May, 1802. 
These birds are denizens of the large pine forests, and are 
said to prefer the tops of trees, seldom descending except to 
drink, and roosting together at night in large companies. 
They are capable of being kept in confinement. 
Their food consists of the seeds of fir cones and others. 
They breed in April or May, or even earlier, the eggs 
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