CROSSBILL
Loxia curvirostra
Male (below). Young (left). Female (above)
The bill varies considerably in this species, and many individuals, which have a very stout bill, have been considered and named as a separate species, known as the Parrot Crossbill. These stout-billed individuals are most numerous in Scandinavia and Northern Russia, though they have been also obtained in this country, and their claim to specific rank is still a debatable point.
THE TWO-BARRED CROSSBILL
Loxia bifasciata (C. L. Brehm)
This species, whose true home is in Northern Russia and Siberia, has visited this country in small flocks on several occasions.
It may easily be distinguished from the Common Crossbill by the two white wing-bars; it is also rather smaller in size. Length 6·25 in.; wing 3·7 in.
THE BLACK-HEADED BUNTING
Emberiza melanocephala, Scopoli
The Black-headed Bunting must not be confused with the Reed Bunting, which is known in many parts of the country under the former name.
The true Black-headed Bunting is an inhabitant of South-eastern Europe, but it occasionally wanders westwards and has been taken about four times in this country. The male has the head black, back brownish orange, and under parts bright lemon yellow. The female and young are yellowish brown, and the male in autumn has the bright colours obscured by rufous edgings to the feathers. Length 6·75 in.; wing 3·7 in.