is turned to the right, the lower being curved to the left; in others, the position of the mandibles is reversed as to their direction. Mr. Yarrell has well illustrated the structure and moving power of this organ, in an interesting paper on the subject in the "Zoological Journal." After entering very minutely into all the details of the anatomy of this very curious instrument, Mr. Yarrell quotes Mr. Townson to show the adaptation of these parts to the wants of the bird in feeding. The great pine-forests, such as the Hartz, in Germany, says Mr. Townson, are the natural place of residence of the Crossbeaks, and the seed of the cones of these trees their food; and it is to pull out the seeds from between the squama, or scales of the cones, that this structure is given them. Their mode of operation is this:-They first fix themselves across the cone, then bring the points of the maxillæ from their crossed or lateral position, to be immediately 'over each other. In this reduced compass they insinuate their beaks between the scales, and then opening them, not in the usual manner, but by drawing the inferior maxilla sideways, force open the scales, or squama. "It is at this stage of the proceeding," observes Mr. Yarrell," that the aid of the tongue becomes necessary; and here, again, we have another instance of beautiful adaptation. There is articulated to the anterior extremity of the os hyoides, or bone of the tongue, an additional portion, formed partly of bones, with a horny covering. This is narrow and about threeeighths of an inch in length, extending forwards and downwards, with the sides curved upwards, and the distal extremity shaped like a scoop somewhat pointed,

and thin on both edges, the proximal extremity ending in two small processes, elongated upwards and backwards above the articulation with the bone of the tongue, each process having inserted upon it a slender muscle, extending backward to the glottis, and attached to the os hyoides; and these muscles, by their contraction, extend and raise the scoop-like point. Underneath the articulation of this horny grooved appendage," continues Mr. Yarrell, ❝is another small muscle, which is attached at one extremity to the os hyoides, at the other to the moveable piece, and by its action, as an antagonist to the upper muscles, bends the point downwards and backwards; whilst, therefore, the points of the beak press the shell from the body of the cone, the tongue, brought forward by its own muscle (genio hyoideus), is enabled, by the additional muscles described, to direct and insert its cutting scoop beneath the seed, and the food thus dislodged is transferred to the mouth. When the mandibles are separated laterally in this operation, the bird has an uninterrupted view of the seed in the cavity with the eye, on that side to which the under mandible is curved." ""*

Two species of Crossbill have been found to resort occasionally to this country, the Common Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra), and the Parrot Crossbill (C. pinetorum).

Alluding to the former of these birds, Mr. Selby says, “The visits of this curious and interesting species to our shores are at irregular periods, sometimes at an interval of many years. In the southern parts of the

* Zool. Journ., v. 4.

kingdom, during their occasional visits, they commit great havoc in the apple and pear orchards, by splitting the fruit in halves, for the sake of the enclosed pips. Their principal support, however, is derived from the seeds of the various firs."

According to Willoughby and the older authors, the Crossbill possesses a pleasant song, only heard during the winter months, which, unlike most other birds, is the season of its incubation.

It is a native of the pine forests of Germany, Poland, Sweden, and other northern countries. Its form is rather thick, and its legs strong but short, and with long and hooked claws. The muscles attached to the bill are very powerful, giving a large and disproportionate appearance to the head.

The manners of these birds are said to be interesting in confinement (to which they become speedily accustomed), climbing along the wires of the cage in any direction, by means of their bill and claws, in a similar manner to the parrots.

The Common Bullfinch (Pyrrhula vulgaris) is a native of the northern parts of Europe, and is only known in the more southern provinces as a bird of passage. It is stationary in our island, and very common in the mountain forests of Germany. This species is a very beautiful bird, chiefly dwelling in the wooded districts. It is retired in its habits; and throughout the winter months five or six individuals, the brood of the year, associate in families. In the spring these separate; the birds pair, and begin to form their nests. The natural song of the Bullfinch

is low, soft, and pleasing, but cannot be heard beyond a short distance. It possesses the imitative faculty in great perfection, and can be taught to whistle musical airs with remarkable accuracy. Much time is given and attention paid to the instruction of these birds in Germany; they require to be taught regularly for nine consecutive months before they can execute an air with firmness and precision; which should be uttered with a flute-like tone. Well-instructed birds sell at a high price, and are as interesting on account of their docility and affectionate disposition as their voice. The common call-note of the wild Bullfinch is

a plaintive whistle.

The food of the Bullfinch consists, during summer and autumn, of various seeds; but during winter and spring it subsists for the most part on the buds of various trees and shrubs, as the thorn, larch, birch, the plum and other fruit trees, and thus often commits serious injuries in fruit gardens; the bird does not swallow the buds entire, but minces them to pieces by means of the powerful mandibles of the bill. This bird builds in low thick bushes or underwood, or on the flat foliage of a spruce or silver fir. The foundation is made of birch-twigs or other slender sticks; upon this is intertwined a basket of flexible fibrous roots, the whole forming a shallow nest. Four or five eggs, of a bluish white spotted with pale orange brown, is the usual number. The male bird has the head, wings, and tail, velvet black, with a tinge of purple ; the back of the neck, and back, fine bluish-grey; rump white; cheeks, throat, chest, and sides, roseate ;

the greater wing-coverts margined with pinkish-white. The plumage of the female is much duller, and the chest has only a faint tinge of the roseate hue.

(Colina), and the Plantain-eaters (Musophagina). With the exception of but one genus, that naturalist observes, they all possess a short but very strong and thick bill, more or less curved at the top; the cutting margins being minutely serrated like the teeth of a saw; by this structure the Chilian Phytotoma, as we are informed by Mollini, cuts off the plants upon which it feeds, close to the ground as if it had been done by a saw.

The food of this remarkable division of birds seems to be purely vegetable, and of the most tender and delicate description: the Violet Plantain-eater (Musophaga) is stated by M. Isert, its first discoverer, to live principally on the fruit of the Musa, or plantaintree; while the Touracco birds, according to M. Le Vaillant, feed only upon soft fruits.

In the feet of these birds we observe considerable diversity of form. In the genus Colius all the four toes are directed forwards; in the Touracco birds, the outer toe is capable of an outward direction, but with a more lateral or inward grasp than the inner one. In