Birds of Oregon mid Washington 223 



buffy line above the eye ; throat, breast and abdomen, 

 buffy, with breast and sides streaked with dusky. 



A winter resident. Perhaps some nest in 

 these parts, as they have been seen here in July. 



THE AMERICAN CROSSBILL AND THE RED- 

 POLL. 



There are two Winter-Birds, which are not 

 common but which may be discovered by some 

 one who would like to identify them. They are 

 the American Crossbill and the Redpoll. 



The first-named, with his crossed bill, when 

 once seen, will scarcely need further description. 

 It is enough to add that his color is generally 

 reddish, — a color resembling that of the Cali- 

 fornia Purple Finch, — and his size about six 

 inches. His crossed bill is exactly fitted to cut 

 open pine cones, the contents of which constitute 

 his chief food. 



The Redpoll is smaller, its general color 

 streaked and dusky, with white and brownish 

 ground ; the rump and breast are rose-red in the 

 male, and, as the name indicates, he has a crim- 

 son crown. 



These birds both nest in the north, or in un- 



