500 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



eggs from that country, where its identification was apparently complete. 

 Whether this bird is resident in, regularly migratory to, or only accidental 

 in, Europe, is as yet a question by no means fully settled. Degland gives 

 it as resident in Greenland only, and as ac(;idental in Germany, Belgium, 

 and the north of France. He states that it is known to nest in shrubs 

 and in low trees, and that, in all essential respects, its manners are identical 

 with the common Ked-Poll. One of these birds was taken alive in a snare 

 in the vicinity of Abljeville, and kept in a cage, making part of the collec- 

 tion of M. Baillon. 



Yarrell thought that sufficient evidence existed of its specific distinctness, 

 but Mr. Gould regarded it as a matter of doubt whether the birds found in 

 Europe were natives, or only arrivals from northern America. He states that 

 among the London dealers this bird, called by them the Stone Eed-Poll, is 

 well known, and is considered distinct, but that its occurrence is very rare. 

 Occasionally, at great intervals, they are said to have been abundant. 



Mr. Doubleday, of Epping, procured several specimens of this bird in Col- 

 chester, in January, 1836, and afterwards obtained a living pair, which he 

 kept for some time. Their notes were much sharper than those of the lina- 

 rius. Its occurrence was most frequent in winter, many .specimens having 

 been obtained in England, and some also in Scotland. Its habits throughout 

 tlie year are supposed to be very similar to th(3se of the common Eed-Poll. 

 Its food is said to be chiefly the seeds of various forest trees. 



Mr. Temminck describes what is undoubtedly this species, under the title 

 of horealis. If this supposition be admitted to be correct, its geographical 

 distribution becomes much more clearly defined. He states that it is found 

 during the summer in Norway and Sweden, and is resident of the Arctic 

 Circle throughout the year, and is also found in Northern Asia, as well as in 

 America and in other parts of Europe. He has received specimens from 

 Greenland, and also from Japan, differing in no respect from those found in 

 Europe. 



Audubon states that he procured four specimens of this bird in Newfound- 

 land. In their habits he could see.no difference between them and the com- 

 mon Eed-Poll, but did observe a noticeable difference in their song. He 

 also states that one was shot by Mr. Edward Harris near Moorestown, N. J. 



Mr. John Wolley, in his expeditions to Lapland, found there only one 

 species of this genus which was clearly referrible to the Mealy Eed-Poll, and 

 was a common resident bird. One of these eggs from Lapland is larger, 

 and a much lighter-colored egg, than any of the common Unarms. The 

 ground is a greenish-wliite, sparingly spotted with dark reddish-brown about 

 the larger end. Its measurement is .80 by .58 of an inch. An egg from 

 Greenland is not perceptibly different in size, color, or markings. 



Holboll, in his papers on the fauna of Greenland, demonstrates very dis- 

 tinctly the specific differences between this bird and the linarius. These 

 are its stronger and broader bill, the difference in colors at every age, its 



