178 



NATUEAL HISTORY COLLECTIONS TN ALASKA. 



specimens of griseonucha obtained at the same time, except tbat they are smaller size and have 

 lighter chocolate tints. A typical specimen of this form is iu the National Museum collection 

 from Gilmer, Wyo., sent in with a number of tephrocoUs. The breeding habitat and distinctive 

 habits of this species, if it possess any, are as yet totally unknown. 



ACANTHIS nORNEMANNII EXILTPES (Co 



gMl-). 



i). Hoary Redpoll (Esk. 0-lcmU-td- 



This is the prevailing species of the genus throughout Northern Alaska, where it occurs iu great 

 numbers. Its habits and range are shared by the common Redpoll, and the two are almost indis- 

 tinguishable, excepting for the differences in coloration. Their notes, nesting-sites, nest, and eggs 

 are indistinguishable. Both forms are summer and winter residents, making a partial migration into 

 the interior during the severe weather of winter. The series obtained by me contains both forms 

 from various poiuts along the Yukon from the sea to the British boundary line. They are usually 

 found in parties of varying size comprising both forms, although, owing to the greater abundance 

 of cxUipes, parties composed wholly of it are found at times. It is found on the Commander 

 Islands iu limited numbers during the winter. 



Young exilipes, taken at Saint Michaels in July, have the bill dark horn-color; feet pale in 

 young specimens, but in full-fledged birds the feet and tarsus are dark horn-color. The feathers on 

 the top of head, back, and rump, sides of neck, breast, and body each with a shaft-streak of dull 

 blackish-brown, and feathers of crown and rump edged with more or less ashy or grayish, and in 

 some cases the gray extends down the middle of the back. Ear-coverts, edges of dorsal, and 

 scapular-feathers buff, or dull fulvous-brownish. The two wing-bars and tertiaries are edged with 

 a lighter shade of buff; edges of primaries and rectrices grayish, washed more or less heavily with 

 a fulvous shade; the abdomen ashy-white; chin occupied by a concealed patch of sooty-brown 

 feathers with a dull white wash; there are black shaft-streaks on the throat and sides of neck, the 

 feathers edged with dull grayish- white washed with more or less of the fulvous shade. Very young 

 birds are darker than those full-fledged, and show much less grayish- white on the crown and rump. 



The nests vary from 1| inches in height by 3 inches broad to 2i inches high by 5 inches broad. 

 The central cavitj' is sometimes shallow and sometimes deep, and is usually more or less warmly 

 lined with ptarmigan-feathers and the cottony down from willows and other plants. The eggs 

 vary from three to five in number, and are light-blue in color, with au occasional shade of green. 

 They are A^ariously marked, some being thickly covered with fine pale reddish-brown or rusty- 

 brown specks, much more numerous about the large end. Others are sparsely dotted here and 

 there with fine brownish spots or purplish-ashy markings, which become more numerous about the 

 large end in the form of a ring of straggling irregular dark markings, much smaller and less de- 

 cided than the irregular markings of an oriole's egg, though resembling the latter. In one instance, 

 however, these dark-brown marks are very distinct and are very much like the eggs mentioned. 



Dr. Brewer characterizes the eggs of this bird as pale bluish-white. Those I have seen, how- 

 ever, are decidedly blue or bluish-green, which color is found in all American specimens, except, 

 perhaps, such as are much faded by exposure to light after being blown. 



A large series of eggs, consisting of thirty-four specimens from Saint Michaels, measure as 

 follows : 



ACANTHIS EXILIPES. 



,70 by. 52 

 . 70 by . 51 

 , 64 by . 50 

 , 67 by . 52 

 09 by . 53 

 , 08 by . 51 

 ,70 by. 53 

 , 71 by . 51 



. 70 by . 51 

 . 60 by . 51 

 . 67 by . 52 

 . 69 by . 50 

 . 67 by . 50 

 . 67 by . DO 

 .69 by. 00 



71 by . 52 

 70 by . 52 

 70 by . 51 

 70 by . 50 



. 67 by . 54 

 , 69 by . 52 

 , 70 by . 61 

 , 72 by . 61 

 , 68 by . 49 

 , 09 by . 51 

 , 69 by . 60 

 .70 by. 50 



. 70 by . 50 

 . 71 by . 50 

 . 65 by . 50 



Largest, .73 by .52. Smallest, .61 by .50. Average, .60 by .51. 



Dr. Brewer gives the measurements of an egg from Greenland referable to horncmanni as .75 

 by .CO of an inch. 



