286 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 



Uange. — " Southern Greenland in summer, migrating south, in winter, 

 through Labrador to (sparingly) the northern border of the United States 

 (New England, lower Hudson Valley, northern Illinois, etc.), and west to 

 Manitoba" (Ridgw.). 



Sing Sing, A. V. Cambridge, irregular W. V., Nov. to Feb. 



" The Greater Redpoll is often rather common, and in February, 

 1883, it occurred along the seacoast near Boston in positive abundance. 

 On the 19th of this month Mr. Spelman and I took thirteen specimens 

 at Revere Beach in about two hours ; and on the 22d, at Nantasket 

 Beach, two young collectors, by a few random shots into an excep- 

 tionally large, mixed flock of Redpolls, secured forty specimens, of 

 which six proved to be A. linaria and thirty-four rostrata. 



"As one sees them in winter in New England, the forms just men- 

 tioned, with A. hornemannii exilipes, do not differ appreciably in 

 notes, habits, or general appearance. It is true that A. I. rostrata 

 may be often recognized by its superior size, but the birds as a rule 

 are so nervous and restless, and when in large flocks so constantly in 

 motion and so likely to depart altogether at any moment, that a free 

 use of the gun is ordinarily indispensable to positive identification " 

 (Brewster, Minot'^ Land Birds and Game Birds, 2d ed., App., p. 472). 



529. Spinus tristis {Linn.). American Goldfinch; Yellow- 

 bird ; Thistle-bird. Ad. 5 . — Crown-cap black ; back and under parts 

 bright yellow ; wings black, the coverts and vsecondaries tipped with white ; 

 tail black, the feathers with white on their inner webs. Ad. 9 . — Upper 

 parts grayish brown with an olive tinge ; wings and tail as in the $ , but 

 somewhat more dusky and the white markings less distinct ; under parts 

 Avhitish, washed with buflfy brown and more or less tinged with yellow, espe- 

 cially on the throat. Ad. $ in winter. — Similar to the ad. 9 , but with the 

 wings and tail as in summer. L., 5-10 ; W., 2-82 ; T., 1-95 ; B., -40. 



Range. — Eastern North America; breeds from South Carolina to southern 

 Labrador; winters from the northern United States to the Gulf. 



Washington, common P. R. Sing Sing, common P. R. Cambridge, very 

 common P. R. 



Nest., externally of fine grasses, strips of bark, and moss, thickly lined 

 with thistle down, in trees or bushes, five to thirty feet up. Eggs^ three to 

 six, pale bluish white, '65 x '48. 



Except when nesting, Goldfinches are generally found in small 

 flocks. Few birds seem to enjoy life more than these merry rovers. 

 Every month brings them a change of fare, and in pursuit of fresh 

 dainties the nesting-time is delayed almost until summer begins to wane. 



Seed-bearing plants, whether in field or garden, form their larder ; 

 the old sunfiowers rattle before their vigorous attack; the thistles 

 spring into sudden blossom of black and gold as they swing from the 

 nodding heads. 



