276 FEMALE WH ITE-^YI NGED CROSSBILL. 



tinged -^ith olive, and having the rump greenish yellow, instead of 

 yellow. 



The four above-described states of plumage are selected from a number 

 of specimens shot on the same day and out of the same flock. The 

 changes of these birds must still rank among the unexplained pheno- 

 mena of Natural History. An illustration might be attempted by sup- 

 posing a double moult to take place in the birds of this genus, but 

 besides that we ought to be cautious in admitting an hypothesis like 

 this not founded on observation, it would be entirely untenable in the 

 present instance, from the fact that all the variations of plumage are 

 found at the same period of the year, thus proving that age, and of 

 course sex, but not season, produce these changes ; and we must pro- 

 visionally admit, that contrary to what takes place in all other birds, 

 these (the Crossbills) together with the Pine-Bullfinches, lose, instead 

 of acquiring brilliancy of colors as they advance in age. 



This species inhabits during summer the remotest regions of North 

 America, and it is therefore extraordinary that it should not have been 

 found in the analogous climates of the old continent. In this, its range 

 is widely extended, as we can trace it from Labrador, westward to Fort 

 de la Fom-che in latitude 56°, the borders of Peace river, and Mon- 

 tague Island on the north-west coast, where it was found by Dixon. 

 Round Hudson's Bay it is common and well known, probably extending 

 far to the north-west, as Mackenzie appears to allude to it when speak- 

 ing of the only land bird found in the desolate regions he was exploring, 

 which enlivened with its agreeable notes the deep and silent forests of 

 those frozen tracts. It is common on the borders of Lake Ontario, 

 and descends in autumn and winter into Canada and the Northern and 

 Middle States. Its migrations however are very irregular. During 

 four years it had escaped my careful researches, and now while writing 

 (in the first week of November, 1827) they are so abundant, that I am 

 able to shoot every day great numbers out of flocks that are continually 

 alighting in a copse of Jersey scrub-pine [Piniis inops) even opposite 

 my window. It is proper to mention, that owing perhaps to the in- 

 clemency of the season, which has so far been distinguished by rains, 

 early frost, and violent gales of wind, there have been extraordinary 

 flights of winter birds. Many flocks of the Purple Finch are seen in 

 all directions. The American Siskin [Fringilla pinus, Wils.), of which 

 I never saw a living specimen before, covers all the neighboring pines 

 and its favorite thistles with its innumerable hosts. The Snow-Buntino; 

 {Emheriza nivalis) has also made its appearance in New Jersey, though 

 in small parties, after an absence of several years. 



The White-winged Crossbills generally go to Hudson's Bay on their 

 return from the south, and breed there, none remaining during summer 

 even in the most northern parts of the United States, where they are 



