THE MEALY REDPOLL. 295 



banks of their precipitous streams ; in which sequestered situa- 

 tions it breeds. The nest is built in a bush or low tree (such as 

 willow, alder, or hazel), of moss and the stalks of dry grass, inter- 

 mixed with down from the catkin of the willow, which also forms 

 the lining, and renders it a particularly soft and warm receptacle 

 for the eggs and young. From this substance being a constant 

 material of the nest, it follows that the young are produced late 

 in the season, and are seldom able to fly before the end of June or 

 the beginning of July. The eggs are four or five in number : their 

 color pale bluish-green, spotted with orange-brown, principally 

 towards the larger end. In winter, the Lesser Redpoll descends to 

 the lower grounds in considerable flocks ; frequenting woods and 

 plantations, more especially such as abound in birch or alder trees, 

 the catkins of which yield it a plentiful supply of food. When 

 feeding, its motion affords both interest and amusement; since, in 

 order to reach the catkins, which generally grow near the extremi- 

 ties of the smaller branches, it is obliged, like the Titmouse, to 

 hang with its back downwards, and assume a variety of constrained 

 attitudes : and, when thus engaged, it is so intent upon its work, as 

 frequently to allow itself to be taken by a long stick smeared with 

 bird-lime ; in which way I have occasionally captured it when in 

 want of specimens for examination. It also eats the buds of trees, 

 and (when in flocks) proves in this way seriously injurious to 

 young plantations. Its call-note is very frequently repeated when 

 on wing, and by this it may be always distinguished from the other 

 species. The notes it produces during the pairing season, although 

 few, and not delivered in continuous song, are sweet and pleasing." 



iEGIOTHUS CANESCENS.— Caiams. 

 The Mealy Redpoll. 



jEgioihus canescens, Cabanis. Mus. Hein. (1851), 161. 

 f Fi-ingilla borealis, Audubon. Orn. Biog., V. (1839) 87. 



Description. 

 Size large; bill short; claws elongated; rump white (in the spring, male tinged 

 with rose), never streaked ; the quills broadly margined with white. 

 Length, six inches; tail, three and seventeen one-hundredths. 



This bird occurs only as an exceedingly rare winter visi- 

 tor in New England. I have never met with it myself, but 



