The LARGE-BEAKED CROSS-BILL (_Loxia pityopsittacus_), the largest of all
the Cross-bills with which we are acquainted, is from seven to seven
and a half inches in length, and eleven and a half to twelve inches
across the wings. The beak strongly resembles that of a parrot, and is
very thick and high, bent into a crescent, each mandible terminating
in a short hook. The prevailing colour in the plumage of the old male
is either a dark or light vermilion; the wing and tail covers greyish
black, edged with greyish red; the belly greyish white. The young male is
recognised by its light-reddish tints, which upon the back are mingled
with greenish yellow, and upon the rump with yellow. The female is dark
grey on the upper part of the body, and the feathers have a more or less
clearly defined edge of green or yellowish green. The under part of the
body is light grey, the feathers being edged with greenish yellow; the
wing and tail feathers are greyish black, dotted with greenish grey.