924 Report of State Geologist. 



202. (5286). Acanthis linaria rostrata (Coues). 



Greater Redpoll. 



Similar to A. linaria; usually more heavily streaked on sides, and 

 all the dimensions larger. 



Length, 5.35-5.75; wing, 3.00-3.30; tail, 2.60-3.70; bill, .41-.47; 

 depth of bill at base, .35-. 30; tarsus, .65-.70. 



Range. — Greenland and northeast North America; south, irregu- 

 larly in winter — to New England, New York, Ontario and northern 

 Indiana and west to Manitoba. 



This species, which is said to be common in Greenland, occasionally 

 reaches in its winter wanderings as far southwest as Ontario, Michigan, 

 Illinois and Indiana. 



Different forms of Redpolls are associated in flocks, but this and 

 the preceding are the only ones that have been taken in Indiana. Mr. 

 H. K. Coale obtained a specimen of this Redpoll (No. 5340, Mus. H. 

 K. C.) at Davis Station, Starke Count}', Ind., January 1, 1884. It 

 was found with a flock of Redpolls {A. linaria), feeding — eating 

 seeds of v/eeds, the tops of which protruded through the snow. Mr. 

 Coale had taken a specimen November 21, 1878, in Cook County, 111., 

 near the Indiana line, which was the first Illinois record. These birds 

 were reported as Acanthis linaria liolhwillii, but evidently are this 

 form. Its habits are similar to that of its more common relative. 



123. Genus SPINUS Koch. 



a^ . Inner webs of tail feathers with white patch; plumage not streaked. 



S. tristis (Linn,). 203 



a'~. Inner webs of tail feathers without white |)atch, but with yellow bases; 



plumage streaked. S. pinus (Wils.). 204 



*203. (529). Spinus tristis (Linn.). 



American Goldfinch. 

 Synonyms, Yellow Bird, Lettuce Bird, Salad Bird. 



Adult Male. — Bright gamboge-yellow; crown, wings and tail, black; 

 lesser wing-coverts, band across the greater ones, ends of secondaries 

 and tertiaries, inner margins of tail feathers, upper and under tail- 

 coverts and tibia, white. Female. — Yellowish-gray, above; greenish- 

 yellow, below; no black on forehead; wing and tail much as in male. 

 Young. — Reddish-olive, above; fulvous yellow, below; two broad 

 bands across coA^erts, and broad edges to the last half of secondaries, 

 pale rufous (B., B. and R.). 



