crossbill
(ˈkrɒsbɪl, ˈkrɔːs-)
[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. 279 The Grosbeak and Crossbill come here but seldom. 1829 E. Jesse Jrnl. Nat. 182 That rare bird the Crossbill..occasionally visits the orchards. |
Hence ˈcross-billed a., having the mandibles crossed, like the birds of the genus Loxia.
| 1766 Pennant Zool. (heading), Cross-billed Grosbeak. |