CROSSBILL.
scattered thickly over at least half an acre of Scotch fir* in a plantation a foil' miles north of Lairg in
Sutherland. 1 was driving pest) when my attention was attracted by the bright hues of the males; and
I then pulled up and watched their movements for at least half an hour. The whole flock were busily
engaged searching the upper branches of the pines, and gradually drew 1.11' of sigh: over the brow of (lie hill.
1 remarked that the majority appeared to be birds in red plumage(I was able to distinguish two different shades
of colour); and I did not recognize a single specimen slum ing signs of immaturity.
Though the young are without doubt fed principally on insects, the adults derive a large portion of their
food from the seeds they extract from the cones of the fir. When passing through a wood, it. is easj" to learn
if these hi tils are common in the district, as on examining the fallen cones, those on which they have been
feeding can bo readily distinguished. In several of the (ir-woods in Inverness and Ross-shire, I noticed the
ground in certain spots was thickly covered with the remains of broken cones which had been torn to pieces by
these birds.
Tbc note is a sharp whistle repeated two or three times. When once heard it is easily recognized : i have
frequently identified small parties Hying overhead, which 1 should never have noticed unless my attention had
been attracted by the note.
The Crossbill is soon reconciled to confinement, and becomes a most amusing cage-bird. I had many
opportunities of watching a fine male in the possession of a keeper near Inverness. This bird, which was
captured in a somewhat singular manner (having been knocked down from a tree by a fir-cone which was
Hung at him), was in the red plumage when taken, but eventually moulted to a dull green.
Two different stages of plumage exhibited by the male Crossbill arc shown in the Plate. The principal
figure is taken from an adult in the full breeding-plumage obtained in the spring. The bird with a tinge of
orange on the feathers is probably immature. This specimen was shot on duly (i, 187(5.
S T A R L I N G .
STUBNUS I'VLGARIS.
I s densely populated and smoky cities this familiar species may constantly be seen; it is a native also of
some of the wildest and most desolate portions of our islands. According to my own observations, there
are few parts of Great Britain in which the Starling is not to he met with at one seasou or another.
I n all agricultural districts this lively and active bird is of the greatest service to the farmer, as ho
destroys immense quantities of grubs and other injurious insects during the course of the year. Vegetation
would suffer severely in many parti of the country were it not for the assistance rendered by the Starling.
Large Hocks may frequently be observed on grass or ploughed land, feeding in company with Hooks and
Jackdaws: in pursuit of slugs and worms they also resort at times to the marshes; here they may be
seen running over the moist ground with Peewits and other "Waders; on taking wing, however, the
association speedily terminates, each species striking out a course for themselves. Tin* presence of a huge
number of these birds with Plovers is by no means welcomed by the fowler; the frequency with which they
shift their position, sweeping over and putting the iiucoii-cious Waders on the alert, often ruins the chance
or a heavy shot from the punt gun. On one occasion while watching the actions of a large body which
had been living for several minutes in a confused manner over the Holmes Marshes, in the east of
Norfolk, a Peregrine dashed through tin* (lock, and leaving the victims he had struck fluttering helplessly
towards the earth, continued his (light without a halt. For some seconds before the sweep of the Falcon,
the movements of the Starlings had been most remarkable—one moment they were gathered into a dense
mass, and the next, were wheeling round and round hi a revolving column, resembling in its rapid changes a
cloud of black smoke.
The sheepfold is a favourite resort for the Starling at all seasons of the year, the Hies and insect*
collecting nhout the flock probably proving the attraction to the spot. Large numbers often Bppenr on the
short grass or a well-kept lawn, searching closely and vigorously attacking the larva? of the crane-fly (commonly
known as the daddy-long-legs], a grub whose ravages are by no means conducive to the well-being of the
turf. As early as the 28th of May I have noticed young birds of the year feeding in this manner in the
south of England.
During close and sultry weather in summer and autumn Starlings may be observed on wing at a
considerable height in the air, capturing Hies and other insects with the greatest rapidity. On such occasions
their (light is erratic and uncertain, resembling to a certain degree the movements of a Snipe while drumming,
though the drop is by no means so prolonged. By the help of glasses I was able to ascertain
that a pair nesting annually in the luoulh of the stone lion on the Norfolk Bridge at Shoreham
repeatedly carried up to their brood a supply of the large water-lice that infest the stonework of the
arches just above the water-mark.
While in the Hebrides, early in May 1S77, I remarked a small flock of about twenty individuals