440 BIRDS OF ARCTIC AMERICA MACFARLANE. 



sundries — it contained four eggs. Another, taken near the fort on 5tb 

 May, 1866, had five eggs with largely developed embryos in them. 



509. Scolecophagus carolinus (Miill.). Rusty Blackbird. 



This bird is fairly abundant in the neighborhood of Fort Anderson ; 

 but examples were frequently observed as far as the eastern limits of 

 the forest, as well as near the " crossing" on Horton Hiver, in about 

 latitude 69° N. and longitude 125° W. The twenty five nests discov- 

 ered in these several localities were built on trees at a height of from 

 5 to 8 feet from the ground. Five eggs was the maximum number 

 found in any one nest. The parents manifested great uneasiness when 

 their nests were approached, and they would often fly from tree to tree 

 in order to attract one away from the spot. 



515. Pinicola enucleator (Liun.). Pine Grosbeak. 



In the spring of 1861 an Indian discovered a nest of this species on a 

 pine tree some 60 miles south of Fort Anderson, but unfortunately 

 while descending therewith he fell and destroyed both nest and eggs ; 

 and although we frequently observed some birds at the post and else- 

 where, we never succeeded in finding another nest. 



521. Loxia curvirostra minor (Brebm). American Crossbill. 



Several birds resembling the published description of this species 

 were seen at Furt Anderson, fired at and missed on 20th June, 1862, 

 but the closest search failed to discover any nests. 



522. Loxia leucoptera Gmel. Wbite-winged Crossbill. 



A male and female specimen of this crossbill was obtained during 

 our residence on the Anderson, where examples — some of which were 

 subsequently lost — of special desiderata were kept in hand for the 

 benefit of our Indian and Esquimaux collectors. The former assured 

 me that they had occasionally observed birds of both, but especially 

 this species, in the country to the southward of the fort. 



527a. Acanthis hornemannii exilipes (Coues). Hoary Redpoll. 



Common on Anderson Eiver. They build their nests on low pine 

 and willow bushes, and the eggs are usually four and five in number. 

 This is believed to be one of the "winterers" in that quarter. A. Jior- 

 nemannii may also be a residenter. 



528. Acanthis linaria (Linn.). Rediioll. 



A similar remark will apply here as under the preceding, both species 

 being about equally abundant in the wooded country. In all we re- 

 ceived and exported about eighty nests belonging to Nos. 527a and 528, 

 and we found them more abundant in 1864 than duringany other season. 



