REDPOLLS 385 



(Ridgway) and three from Massachusetts (Brewster). The 

 breeding, food, habits, etc., are not different from those of the 

 Redpoll with which it seems so often associated. 



528b. Acanthis linaria rostrata (Coues). Greater Redpoll. 



Plumage : somewhat darker colored and with the sides more broadly and 

 heavil)"^ streaked than either of the two preceding ; general plumage and 

 coloration same as in Redpoll. Length 5.25 to 5.75 ; wing 3.13 ; culmen 0.38 ; 

 tarsus 0.64. 



Geog. Dist. — Greenland and northeastern North America ; sporadically 

 south in winter to New England, New York, northern Illinois and Michigan. 



County Records.— Cumberland; abundant near Westbrook in January and 

 February, 1896, (Norton, P. P. S. N. H. 1897, p. 104); one at Westbrook, De- 

 cember 12, 1903, (Norton, J. M. O. S. 1904, p. 5). Kennebec; one shot at 

 Gardiner, December 30, 1896, (Powers, Me. Sp. Feb. 1897, p. 9). Knox ; one 

 shot near Spruce Head, February 17, 1896, a young female, (Rackliff ). 



Mr. Norton (1. c.) has stated that "This large dark form 

 was abundant in Westbrook during the months of January 

 and February, 1896. It was first observed January 26 when 

 it was less numerous than true linaria with which it was con- 

 stantly associated. Its numbers were augmented by new 

 arrivals, and on February second it was the prevailing form. 

 On the eighth of the month no Redpolls could be found. A 

 return movement was soon noticed with constant increase in 

 numbers until March fifteenth. Rostrata was not observed 

 after February twenty-seventh. 



Though not reported from many localities there seems no 

 reason to doubt that this form occurs sporadically in abundance 

 in different sections of the State but more particularly perhaps 

 along the coast. In habits and food it does not differ notice- 

 ably from the Redpoll with which it is often or perhaps usually 

 associated in flocks. The nests are said to be placed in willows 

 and other small bushes in thickets at not over three to five feet 

 from the ground. The eggs are not different from those of the 

 Redpoll but average slightly larger. 



