[CROSS a. 1 b.] A bird of the genus Loxia (family Fringillidæ), having the mandibles of the bill curved so as to cross each other when the bill is closed; found in the north of Europe and America, and in Japan. The Common Crossbill is L. curvirostra.
a. 1672. Willughby, Ornith., 248.
1713. Derham, Phys. Theol. (1723), 193. The Loxia, or Cross-Bill, whose Bill is thick and strong, with the Tips crossing one another.
1766. Pennant, Zool. (1768), II. 312. The Grosbeak and Crossbill come here but seldom.
1829. [J. L. Knapp], Jrnl. Naturalist, 181. That rare bird the crossbill … occasionally visits the orchards.
Hence Cross-billed a., having the mandibles crossed, like the birds of the genus Loxia.
1766. Pennant, Zool. (heading), Cross-billed Grosbeak.
