IIOLBIKLLS KEDI'OLL. 308 



Liki' i>ur uthfi- winter bii'ds, tin- Redpolls are somewhat irregular 

 ill their visits, l)ut are iiioic fr('(|ueiitly seen than either the Gros- 

 l)eaks or Crossl)ills. Sometimes they appear in October and remain 

 till late in March, while in other seasons only an occasional roving 

 tlock is seen diiring the winter, and anaiii they are entirely absent. 

 They are hardy, active little birds, and must consume a large quantity 

 of seeds, which can well be spared from the weedy places the birds 

 frequent. 



Before leaving in spi-ing, the breast of the male assumes a soft 

 rosy tint, which adds greatly to his beauty when seen among the 

 snow. 



This is another of inn- winter visitors whose home is in the fai- 

 north. Mr. Nelson says regarding it : " This species is found in 

 Alaska in smaller numbers than the pi-eceding. On the south-eastern 

 coast of the territor}', inchuling the Kadiak and Sitkan region, the 

 present bird is found to the exclusion of the other, as also to the 

 south along the coast to Washington Territoiy aiul British Columbia, 

 where Mr. Lord found it resiflent." 



ACANTHI8 LINAKIA HOLBCELLII (Breiim). 

 218. Holbcell's Redpoll. (o2S.,) 



Like linaria. Length, (i ; wing, 3.25 ; tail, 2.7") ; bill, longer. 



Hab. — Nortliern portions of northern liemisphere, near the sea coast. 



I have occasionally tV)un(! among the common Redpolls, individ- 

 uals of large size which answer to the description given of this 

 species. As they are never numerous, and have not been observed 

 in flocks by themselves, those we see may be stragglers from the 

 main body of their race, which is said to keep \vell up to the north 

 and east. 



