So they do not have to go far from home for their marketing." "But their beaks are so crooked that I don't see how they can pick out the cone seeds," said Nat.
"These curiously twisted bills, like pincers, are made expressly for the purpose of wrenching the scales from the cones, so that the seeds are laid bare." "It's very funny," said Nat; "whenever we think a bird is queer or awkward and would be better in some other way, it is sure to be made the very best way, only we don't know it." "By and by, when the eggs are laid and the young are hatched," continued the Doctor, "Crossbills make the most devoted parents; they would let themselves be lifted from the nest rather than leave their family.
"And when it is midsummer the old and young Crossbills form into flocks.
Then the parents begin to think that the young people need a change of air for their health, and a few months of travel to finish their education.

So they wander southward through the States without any method or plan, sometimes going as far as New Orleans before winter really begins; and it is on these journeys that we see them.
"Some frosty morning in October, if you hear a sound coming from the sky, like the tinkling of little bells--'Tlink-link-link-link'-- you may be sure there is a flock of Crossbills near, and soon you will see them climbing about an evergreen, or quietly picking seeds on a birch or beech.

The moment before they move to another tree they begin to call; this is the only note you will be likely to hear from them, and one which they often keep up during flight.
"They are capricious birds when on their travels, sometimes letting you come very near them without showing a sign of fear, then suddenly taking flight and dashing about in a distracted way.

They are also tardy in getting back to their piney homes sometimes, and choose their mates on the journey, unlike most birds.

Very often a thoughtless couple are obliged to camp out and build a home wherever they happen to be, so that their nests have been found in several of the New England States." "Is there only one kind of Crossbill in North America ?" asked Rap.
"No, this Red Crossbill has two cousins; one with two white bars on each wing, called the White-winged Crossbill, who sometimes travels with him, but is rarer; and another who lives in Mexico." The American Crossbill Length about six inches.
Beak crossed at the tips, but looking like a Parrot's if you do not notice how the points cross.
Male: general color Indian red, with dark wings and tail.
Female: general color dull olive-green, with wings and tail like the male's.
A Citizen of the North, making winter excursions all through the United States.
THE AMERICAN GOLDFINCH (THE JOLLY BIRD, or THISTLE BIRD) "This must be my other bird," said Nat, "the yellow one from the wild grass meadow, who had what looked like a little black velvet cap tipped down over his eyes.