FRmGILLID.E — THE FIXCHES. 495 



defined ; in the breeding-season the phnnage assumes a burnt appearance, 

 tlie dark tints intensify and spread, so tliat souietinies the upper parts api)ear 

 almost uniformly dusky ; the bill appears larger, in consequence of the less 

 development of its basal tufts, than in winter. In this dusky summer cnndi- 

 tiou these l.)irds form the JS. fusccscens and yE. rostmttts of Cones, the latter 

 being the summer plumage of var. Iwlholli, the former that of var. Unarms. 

 In the series of over two hundred examples examined, all midsummer speci- 

 mens are in the plumage of fusccsecm or rostratus, \\'hile the latter is not 

 seen in any autumnal, winter, or spring birds. 



Specimens of the var. holbijlli have been received from Quebec, collected 

 by Mr. \V. Couper. 



Habits. Accepting as variations due either to locality, latitude, or season 

 the ditiereuces already referred to in the plumage of this species, it is not 

 necessary to consider the question of races in connection with our story of 

 their habits. We possess but very little information as to tlieir peculiarities 

 as races in these respects. Treating, then, the Lesser Red-Poll, though ap- 

 pearing in four differing phases, as one species, we claim it to be common to 

 the northern portions of both hemis]iheres. 



It is found throughout northern Xorth America from the Atlantic to t!ie 

 Pacific, is abundant in the boreal regions of I^n'ope, and prtjbaldy of Asia 

 also. On the Pacific coast. Dr. Coo[)er has observed it only as far s<iuth as 

 Washington Territory. Farther north it is nmch more abundant. Mr. Ban- 

 nister found it common at St, Michaels, Ijotli in summer and in winter. At 

 Xulato Mr. Dall found this species very conniion in winter, and very little 

 less so in sunauer. He states that the nest is usually lined with hair, and 

 covered externally witli moss, dry grass, and like materials, Imilt in bushes, 

 near the ground. Tliey begin to build the loth of May. The eggs are laid 

 about the 1st of June, and the young are flying near the end of July. 

 The^ young of the first year are dark, with a small patch of brown on the 

 breast. After their second year the males increase the aumuiit of rose- 

 color on the head and breast, and the very old birds are quite brilliant in the 

 breeding-season. At St. Michaels, wliere tliere are no trees and very few 

 bushes, these birds fi'equently build tlieir nests in the grass. 



Mr. Pall states that this liird has no song, but that their cheerful t\\'itter- 

 ing and chirping, their fearless and sociable ways, their bright plumage and 

 elegant nests, are quite enough to make tliem general favorites. 



Eichardson found this neat and hardy little bird one of the few permanent 

 residents of the fur countries, wdiere it was seen, in the coldest weather, on the 

 banks of lakes and rivers, hopping among the reeds or clinging to their stalks. 



Mr. Lord found this species a rare bird in British Columbia. It was found 

 in swampy places, where the alders grew thickly, and where there were large 

 water-plants. To tliese it clings, pecking at their seed-pods, or, searcliing the 

 remaining flowers, feeds upon any insects they may contain. Tlieir song lie 

 describes as a soft and pretty warble, coming in bursts, the singer perching 



