476 MICHIGAN BIRD LIFE. 



214. Greater Redpoll. Acanthis linaria rostrata (Coues). (528b) 



Synonyms: ^giothus rostratus, Coues, 18G1. — Acanthis linaria rostrata, Stejn., 1884, 

 A. U. O. Check-list, 1886. 



Similar to the common Redpoll (and also to Holboell's Redpoll),* but 

 much larger, darker, and the bill relatively shorter, thicker, and less acute 

 (Ridgw.). 



Distribution. — Greenland and northeastern North America, south irregu- 

 larly in winter to New England, New York, and northern Illinois. 



Apparently a rare winter visitor to Michigan. The first specimen 

 recorded was taken by F. H. Chapin, of Kalamazoo, in the winter of 1878, 

 and referred to Dr. Morris Gibbs, and by him to Robt. Ridgway, for identi- 

 fication. A second specimen, a female, is in the High School Museum of 

 Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., taken near that place, December 7, 1899, by W. P. 

 Melville, and identified by the Division of Biological Survey, U. S. Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. Two more females were taken 

 near Kalamazoo, one January 23, 1904, and the other March 1, 1904, by W. 

 Wilkowski, Jr., and identified by Ridgway. These were found in flocks 

 of the common Redpoll. 



In northern Wisconsin, according to Kumlien and Hollister (Birds of 

 Wisconsin, p. 93), more than thirty specimens were collected in Dunn 

 county, in the winter of 1895-96, and examples identified by Ridgway. 

 Others have been taken from time to time in Wisconsin, always associated 

 with the common Redpoll. 



TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION. 



Ridgway discriminates between this bird and its nearest relatives as follows: Length 

 about 5.25 to 5.75 inches; with proportionally shorter, thicker, and less acute bill; wing 

 averaging more than 3.15 in males, more than 3.05 in females; color also usually darker 

 than in A. linaria and A. holbcelli, the lateral lower parts usually much more broadly or 

 heavily striped. 



Male: Wing 3.05 to 3.30 inches; tail 2.35 to 2.70; exposed culmen .32 to .42; depth of 

 bill at base .25 to .30; tarsus .60 to .70. Female: Wing 2.95 to 3.25; tail 2.40 to 2.60; 

 exposed culmen .33 to .42; depth of bill at base .25 to .30; tarsus .60 to .68. 



215. Goldfinch. Astragalinus tristis tristis (Linn.). (529) 



Synonyms: American Goldfinch, Ycllowbird, Tliistle-bird, Lettuce-bird, Wild Canary' 

 — Fringiila tristis, Linn., 1758, also of Wilson, Bonap., Audubon, Nuttall.^Spinus tristis' 

 A. O. II. Check-list, 1886. — Chrysomitris tristis, Hainl, Allen, Coues and others. 



Figure 113. 



The male in summer, with lemon-yellow body, velvet-black cap, and 

 black wings and tail with white edgings, is unmistakable. The female 

 is yelloAvish brown without strong contrasts of color, although yellow 

 predominates below. 



Distribution. — Temperate North America generally, south in winter 

 to lower boundary of lower California; breeds southward to the middle 

 districts of the United States, and winters mainly within the United States. 



One of the commonest and best known birds throughout the state, 



*For note on Holboell's Redpoll, sec Appendix. 



