176 



522. White-winged Crossbill. PR. LE BEC-CROISE 1 AILES BLANCHES. Loxia 

 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. Redpolls. 



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 small 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 

 differentiate 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. PR. LE SIZERIN DE HORNEMANN. Acanthis horne- 

 manni. 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. 



Distinctions. The unspotted rump is the most constant and easily recognized specific 

 character. 



Distribution. Arctic and subarctic parts of the northern hemisphere. The Greenland 

 Redpoll breeds in Arctic Europe, Greenland, and perhaps adjoining America. The Hoary 

 breeds in Arctic America from Ungava to adjacent parts of Asia. 



SUBSPECIES. Hornemann's Redpoll is divided in America into two subspecies; 

 a large form, the Greenland Redpoll, the type form; and the Hoary Redpoll A. h. exilipes. 

 They are most easily separated by size, the former having a wing measurement of 3-37 

 and the latter of 3. 



In general habits so nearly like the next species, which is much more 

 common, that separate discussion is unnecessary. This species is generally 

 so rare in settled districts that its identification must be made with great 

 caution. During occasional winters this species occurs in greater or less 

 numbers with large flocks of the Common Redpolls, but there is no 

 regularity in their visits. 



528. Redpoll Linnet. PR. LE SIZERIN X TETE ROTJGE. Acanthis linaria. L, 5-5-5. 

 A rather dark Redpoll with rump more or less heavily streaked and not noticeably frosted 

 with white. 



Distinctions. The streaked rump is the most easily recognizable character. 



Distribution. Northern part of northern hemisphere. The Common Redpoll breeds 

 across the northern parts of the American continent, south in the east to the gulf of St. 

 Lawrence. HolbcKll s breeds in America on the west Arctic islands and the Greater in 

 Greenland. 



