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(Figure 52, p. 26). The male is dull red, brighter on rump; females and juveniles similar 
with the red replaced by greenish or yellow. No wing bars. 
Distinctions. The crossed bill is distinctive of the Crossbills; the lack of white wing 
bar designates this species. 
Field Marks. Small winter bird often in large flocks. Notes somewhat similar to 
those of Goldfinches, but individuals show red coloration. Climbing, almost parrot-like, 
habits. 
Nesting. Usually in coniferous trees; in nest of twigs and grasses lined with moss 
and rootlets. 
Distribution. The coniferous forests of both hemispheres. ‘The American Crossbill 
breeds north of dense settlement and southward along the mountain ranges east and 
west. Irregularly common in winter in southern Canada. 
SUBSPECIES. The American Crossbill is a subspecies of the Crossbill, an Old as 
well as New World species, and bears the trinomial name L. c. minor. 
The Crossbills are also birds that irregularly come out of the north to 
southern Canada in the winter, reoccur commonly for successive seasons, 
and then vanish perhaps for years. 
Economic Status. This species feeds almost entirely upon coniferous 
seeds—pine, hemlock, and cedar; berries of the climbing bittersweet and 
seeds of rotten apples on the trees are also taken. The speed and skill with 
which the seed is removed from pine cones makes one think that the crossed 
bill is necessary for this work until one finds normally billed species doing 
the same thing with equal ease. 
522. White-winged Crossbill. FR—LE BEC-CROISE A AILES BLANCHES. Lozia 
leucoptera. L, 6-05. Similar to preceding species, but with white bars on wings. 
Distinctions. Perhaps a little brighter in coloration than the American, but showing 
considerable variation in tint and shade. The white wing bars and crossed bill are always 
diagnostic. 
So similar to the preceding in habits and occurrence that no special 
discussion is necessary. 
GENUS—ACANTHIS. ReEppottus. L, 5-5-50. 
General Description. Small sparrows with short, sharp bills; crown with a dull crimson 
cap; a suffused black chin spot; back and flanks streaked with browns, ashy, and white. 
Adult males have rosy breasts and the rump more or less tinged with pink; suggestions 
of this tint show in other plumages. 
Distinctions. The smail crimson cap is always distinctive. 
Nesting. In low shrubs; nest of grasses lined with hair, often white rabbit or fox 
fur, feathers, or plant-down. 
Distribution. Circumpolar and Arctic in breeding range, migrating south irregularly 
in winter. 
There are two species of Redpolls in eastern Canada, divided into five 
subspecies, all so nearly alike that it requires special experience to differ- 
entiate them accurately. The dividing line between species is very fine, the 
subspecies intergrade and, as considerable individual and age variation 
exists, it is only by attention to small details that they can be separated. 
The distinctive characters are given more as suggestions than as final 
differentiations. 
Economic Status. See Redpoll Linnet. 
__ 527. Hornemann’s Redpoll. Acanthis hornemanni. L, 5. Light-coloured Redpolls 
with white or rosy unspotted rump. Adults with feather edgings light so that a typical 
bird looks like a Common Redpoll seen through a white veil. 
