1890.] Poling on I he Fringillidce of Western Illinois. 2 70 



one specimen, a male, and failed to discover the flock again. During a 

 collecting trip in the spring of 1S89, Mr. Charles F. Adams secured one 

 fine male of this species near Champaign, 111., which he found feeding 

 among some sugar maples. The trees were in leaf, and neighboring trees 

 in blossom, and although the exact date was not recorded, it is believed 

 that it was near the first of May, as at that time the Warbler migration 

 was we 1 1 advanced, and many species were present. From these records 

 it would seem that the Evening Grosbeak is not only a winter straggler, 

 but a spring and fall visitor as well, which may be due to the better con- 

 dition of its favorite food at such times in more southerly localities. 



2. Carpodacus purpureus. Purple Finch. — A common winter visitor, 

 appearing late in the fall and remaining until May. Its abundance de- 

 pends very much on the food supply which is chiefly buttonwood or svea- 

 more balls and the seeds of various weeds. During the winter of iSSS-89, 

 the supply of hempseed and sycamore balls was unusual, and in conse- 

 quence the Purple Finch was one of the most common winter birds. 

 Flocks of many hundreds remained, and their songs could be heard 

 almost any sunn yday in winter. 



3. Loxia curvirostra minor. American Crossbill. — Very erratic in its 

 visits here. This may be owing to the small amount of pine to be found, 

 but more likely to some other cause, as while here it does not seem to 

 seek the pines so much as some other resorts. I have frequently found 

 them feeding in apple and pear trees where the fruit had remained on and 

 had been frozen. I also noticed one flock feeding on buds of the common 

 cottonwood, and I remained beneath the tree some time watching them 

 while parts of the buds dropped about me. 



4. Loxia leucoptera. White-winged Crossbill. — As irregular as the 

 last, and much more rare of late years. Single specimens are sometimes 

 found along with a flock of the red species. 



5. Acanthis linaria. Redpoll. — A rare winter visitant. Only seen in 

 Februarv. 



6. Spinus tristis. American Goldfinch. — Resident. Found in large 

 flocks in winter when it frequents patches of weeds and hemp and the 

 borders of timber. Commonly seen about the houses in town in May 

 and again in July and August, coming to breed. 



7. Spinus pinus. Pine Siskin. — Found plentifully in winter and at the 

 approach of spring. A very unsuspicious bird often allowing one to ad- 

 vance within two or three feet of it while feeding. I have usually foun 

 them in small flocks of a dozen or more about pines and evergreens. 



S. Calcarius lapponicus. Lapland Longspur. — Casual winter visitor. 

 Sometimes appearing late in the fall before the first snow. It is found 

 associated with the Horned Larks. Often when a flock of Larks is flying 

 overhead, I have heard the twittering notes of this Longspur coming 

 from among them. In February when the river is usually frozen over, I 

 have seen them on the ice where sand had been scattered by passing 

 wagons. 



