30 FIELD KEY TO THE LAND BIRDS. 
conspicuous white bars on the wing, and a larger bill. 
Both the Crossbills are tree birds, rarely seen on the 
ground. They are usually seen in evergreen trees, 
climbing quietly, like parrots, and eating the seeds 
from the cones. 
66. REDPOLL. <Acanthis linaria.— Length, 54 
inches. Gray-brown with buff streaks above and on 
breast ; belly white; throat black ; shaded all over 
with more or less crimson or pink. Female and young 
similar, but without the pinkish tints. The Redpoll 
breeds in the Arctic regions, and is a common winter 
visitor here, coming in flocks, and feeding on the 
seeds of grass and other plants on the ground and in 
bushes. 
67. GREATER REDPOLL. Acanthis linaria 
rostrata. — Length, 54 inches. Resembles the Red- 
poll, but is larger and darker colored. 
68. AMERICAN GOLDFINCH. Spinus tristis. 
—Length, 5 inches. Lemon yellow; cap, wings, and 
middle of tail black; wing bars and outer tail- 
feathers white. Female, and in winter the male, 
grayish green above, yellowish below; without a 
black cap. Feeds on weeds and grass seeds on or 
near the ground. Stays all the year, in small roving 
flocks. 
69. PINE SISKIN. FINCH. Spinus pinus. — 
Length, 5 inches. Buff above; underparts white ; 
streaked all over with black. Though resembling 
the last three species in habits, he is more of a tree- 
bird, usually found among evergreens, feeding on the 
seeds. These birds breed to the north, and in winter 
come irregularly southward in small flocks. 
40. SNOWBIRD. SNOW BUNTING. Plectro- 
phenax nivalis. — Length, 6% inches. Rust-colored 
above; wings brown; underparts pure snow white. 
The Snowbird breeds in Arctic regions, and comes 
southward in winter as far as the snow extends, feed- 
ing on grass seeds. It is a true meadow bird, never 
alighting on a tree, and walks or runs like the larks, 
