holbcell's redpoll. 303 



Like our othei' winter birds, the Redpolls are somewhat irregular 

 in their visits, but are more frequently seen than either the Gros- 

 beaks or Crossbills. Sometimes they appear in October and remain 

 till late in March, while in other seasons only an occasional roving 

 flock is seen during the winter, and again they are entirely absent. 

 They are hardy, active little birds, and must consume a large quantity 

 of seeds, which can well he spared from the weedy places the birds 

 fi-equent. 



Before leaving in spring, the lireast of the male assumes a soft 

 rosy tint, which adds greatly to his Ijeauty when seen among the 

 snow. 



This is another of our winter visitors whose home is in the far 

 north. Mr. Nelson says regarding it : " This species is found in 

 Alaska in smaller numbers than the preceding. On the south-eastern 

 coast of the territory, including the Kadiak and Sitkan region, the 

 present bird is found to the exclusion of the other, as also to the 

 south along the coast to Washington Territor}" and British Columbia, 

 where Mr. Lord found it resident." 



ACANTHI8 LINARIA HOLBCELLII (Brehm). 

 218. Holbcell's Redpoll. (528o) 



Like linaria. Length, 6 ; wing, 3.25 ; tail, 2.75 ; bill, longer. 



Hab. — Northern portions of northern hemisphere, near the sea coast. 



I have occasionally found among the common Redpolls, individ- 

 uals of large size which answer to the description given of this 

 species. As they are never numerous, and have not been observed 

 in flocks by themselves, those we see may be stragglers from the 

 main body of their race, which is said to keep well up to the north 

 and east. 



