The crossbill (Loxia) is a genus of birds of the finch family. They are distinguished and derive their name from a peculiarity of their bill, the mandibles of which are curved at the tips, so as to cross each other, sometimes on the one side and sometimes on the other. The form of the bill enables them to extract with ease the seeds of the pine, their usual food, from underneath the scales of the cones. They build and also breed at all seasons of the year, in December, as in March, April, or May. The common crossbill (Loxia curvirostra) is found in the northern countries of Europe. It is from 15 to 16 cm in length. The male has a red plumage, the female is of a yellowish-green colour. The Loxia pityopsittacus, or parrot crossbill, sometimes visits Britain. Two species of crossbill inhabit Canada and the northern States, Loxia Americana and Loxia leucoptera, the latter rarely found in Britain. Research Crossbill
Grosbeak is a general popular name for birds of at least three groups belonging to the conirostral division of the Insessores. The first comprises the cross-bills; in the second group is the East Indian representative genus Paradoxornis, with the beak large and parrot-like, but not crossing; the third group includes the pine grosbeak (Pinicola enucledtor) and the bullfinch. The term grosbeak was given to birds which had beaks proportionally larger than in the most familiar forms.
The scarlet grosbeak (Pyrrhula erythrina) is a small Passerinebird nearly related to the bullfinch, common in northern Europe and occasionally seen in Britain. The males have very bright plumage, from whence they derive an alternative name of rosy finch. Research Grosbeak
Macaw is the popular name for any parrot of the genus Sittace, or Macrocercus. There are about eighteen species known, all of them American. They are large birds with a very long tail, a strong hooked bill, and a naked space around the eyes. The voice is harsh, and they are brightly coloured in strongly contrasting colours. Research Macaw
Parrot-fish is a popular name for a group of genera of the wrasse family, distinguished by the teeth soldered together so that the jaws form a sharp beak. Most of the species are tropical, but Scarus cretensis occurs in the Mediterranean feeding on seaweed. Research Parrot-fish
Parrot refers to any bird of the order Psittaciformes, abundant in the tropics, especially in Australia and South America. They are mainly vegetarian, and range in size from the 8.5cm pygmy parrot to the 100cm Amazon parrot. The smaller species are commonly referred to as parakeets. The plumage is often very colourful, and the call is usually a harsh screech.
Parrots all have hooked bills and feet adapted for tree climbing. Research Parrot
The Puffin or Sea Parrot (Fratercula arctica) is a sea bird of the Auks family, Alcidae, found in the north Atlantic. It is a thickset bird with a curious brightly coloured striped bill which feeds on fish which it catches by diving and swimming underwater. Research Puffin
The Tit or titmouse is a family of small, rather long-tailed, arboreal birds (Paridae), of which seven species occur in Great Britain. Of these, the blue tit (Parus coeruleus), often known as the tomtit, is the best known, a little bird measuring 10 cm in length, with a blue crown, white cheeks, greenish back, blue wings and tail, and a white breast crossed by a blue line. It is found in most parts of the British Isles, and is a familiar visitor to gardens.
The bearded tit (Panurus biar-micus) is extremely rare, and only occurs in the neighbourhood of the NorfolkBroads. It is 15cm long, and has light brown plumage with a little black and white. The head is bluish grey, and from each cheek grows a tuft of black feathers from which the bird derives its name. It is found among beds of reeds, where it climbs about like a small parrot.
The long-tailed tit (Acredula caudata) is one of the smallest of British birds. The plumage is in the main black and white, with slight tinges of red. It occurs freely in England and Ireland, but is not common in Scotland. It is .found in woods and generally goes . in small parties, visiting hedges and .trees in search of insects. The nest is domed and is made of felted hair, . moss, and lichens, lined with feathers. Over two thousand feathers have been found in a single nest.
The great tit (Parus major), or ox-eye, has a black head and throat, greenish back, white cheeks, and yellow under parts, and it is 15 cm long. It occurs locally in woods , and orchards, but is nowhere abundant. It feeds mainly on insects, but has a distinct liking for carrion.
The marsh tit (Parus palustris) has a black head, grey wings and back, with white cheeks, throat, and breast. It is common in England, rare in Scotland, and absent from Ireland. The crested tit (Parus crisiatus) is distinguished by its pointed crest of black and white feathers. The cheeks are white, the throat black, the under parts white, and the rest of the plumage reddish brown. It is extremely rare, being only found in certain pine forests in the north of Scotland. Research Tit
In Hindu mythology, Kama is the god of love, corresponding, generally speaking, to the Greek Eros. He appears as a beautiful youth riding upon a parrot, generally carrying a bow with a string formed of bees, and having five arrows, each tipped with a flower that is supposed to have some amorous influence. Dancing girls or nymphs accompany him, and one carries his banner, the emblem on which is a fish or marine monster on a red background. Research Kama
The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
Research Crossbill
