

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS EGGS. 249 



528. Redpoll. A can this linaria. 



Range. Breeds within the Arctic Circle; winters south to New York, Kansas 

 and northern California and casually farther. 



This species is similar to the last but much darker, and the 

 rump is also streaked with blackish. These handsome birds are 

 often met with in winter, feeding on seeds of the weed stems that 

 project above the snow. Their flight and song is similar to that 

 of the Goldfinch or Pine Siskin. They nest at low elevations, 

 either in trees or bushes. The eggs number from three to six [Bi u i gh gre en ] 

 and are pale bluish green, sparingly specked with reddish brown. 

 Size .65 x .50. Data. Mouth of Great Whale River, Hudson Bay, May 16, 

 1899. Nest in a willow 4 feet from the ground; made of fine rootlets and grass, 

 lined with feathers. Collector, A. P. Lowe. 

 528a. Holbcell Redpoll. Acanthis linaria holbcellii. 



Range. Arctic regions; south casually to the border of the United States. 



A slightly larger variety of the common Redpoll. Eggs probably not dis- 

 tinguishable. 

 528b. Greater Redpoll. Acanthis linaria rostrata. 



Range. Breeds in southern Greenland; in winter south through Labrador to 

 the northern border of the United States. 



This variety is larger and darker than the common Redpoll. It has been 

 found breeding abundantly in southern Greenland, where its nesting habits are 

 the same as those of the Redpoll and the eggs similar but averaging a trifle 

 larger. 



529. American Goldfinch. Astragalinus tristis. 



Range. North America east of the Rockies, and from Labrador and Manitoba 

 southward. 



These beautiful birds are among our sweetest songsters from 

 May until September. They are resident throughout their 

 United States range, where they breed in August or early in 

 September, being one of the latest nesting birds that we have. 

 Their nests are located in bushes, at a height of generally 

 below fifteen feet above the ground, being placed in upright 

 [Bluish white.] forks, and made of plant fibres and thistle down firmly woven 

 together. They lay from three to six plain bluish white eggs. Size .65 x .50. 

 The majority of nests that I have found have been in alders over small streams. 

 529a. Western Goldfinch. Astragalinus tristis pallidus. 

 Range. Rocky Mountains from Mexico to British Columbia. 

 This variety is slightly larger and (in winter) paler than the last. 

 529b. California Goldfinch. Astragalinus tristis salicamans. 

 Range. Pacific coast from Washington to Lower California. 

 Similar to the eastern Goldfinch but back said to be slightly greenish yellow. 



530. Arkansas Goldfinch. Astragalinus psaltria. 



Range. United States, west of the Plains and from Oregon to Mexico. 



This species has greenish upper parts and yellow below; the 

 crown, wings and tail are black, the bases of the lateral tail 

 feathers and primaries being whitish. They are common in por- 

 tions of their range, nesting in similar locations to those chosen 

 by the common Goldfinch and laying from three to five eggs 

 which are similar but slightly smaller. Size .60 x .45. Data. Bluish white. 

 Riverside, California, May 20, 1891. 5 eggs. Nest made of fine grasses lined 

 with cotton; 5 feet from the ground in a small tree. Collector, Harvey Hall. 

 530b. Mexican Goldfinch. Astragalinus psaltria mexicanus. 



Range. Mexico north to the Lower Rio Grande in southern Texas. 



A similar bird to the last but with the entire upper parts and cheeks, black. 

 The habits, nests and eggs are identical with those of the Arkansas Goldfinch. 



