FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 381 



with pink, belly white, sides streaked with fuscous. This plumage is ac- 

 quired at the first postnuptial molt. Ad. 9. Similar, but without pink on 

 the rump or breast, the sides more heavily streaked. Im. Similar to the 9 , 

 but without a red crown-cap. L., 5'32; W., 2'80; T., 2'32; B., '36; depth 

 of B. at base, '22. 



Range. N. parts of N. Hemisphere. Breeds M ^sr- . 



in N. A. in Boreal zones from nw. Alaska, n. 

 Mackenzie, and n. Ungava s. to n. Alberta, cen. 

 Keewatin, and islands of Gulf of St. Lawrence; 

 winters in more n. parts of U. S., irregularly s. to 

 Lassen Co., Calif., se. Ore., Colo., Kans., Ind., 

 Ohio and Va.; casual in Ala. and' Bermuda. 



Washington, very rare and irregular W. V. 

 Ossining, irregular W. V., Nov. 25-Mch. 26. 

 Cambridge, irregular W. V., often very abun- 

 dant, Oct. 25-Apl. 10. N. Ohio, rare W. V. 

 Glen Ellyn, irregular W. V., Nov. 6-Mch. 7. 

 SE. Minn, common W. V., Oct. 31-Apl. 7. FIG. 101. Redpoll. (Natura 



Nest, of dry grass and moss lined with hair, size.) 



feathers, or plant down, in a low tree or tuft of 



grass. Eggs, 4-6, white, tinged with green or blue, spotted with reddish 

 brown, '65 x '50 (Chamberlain). Date, St. Michael's, Alaska, June 6. 



The little Redpoll is one of those birds that are best known as win- 

 ter visitors. Sometimes it comes from the north in flocks when driven 

 from home by the annual failure of the food-supply, and speedily attracts 

 attention by frequenting the gardens and orchards, even when these 

 are within the limits of a town. In general habits it resembles a Gold- 

 finch, and while with us it finds its wants supplied chiefly by the various 

 grasses and herbs which project through the snow and still retain 

 their seed in spite of wind and weather. It is noted for its affectionate 

 and confiding disposition, and although it is not known to breed in 

 captivity it has always proved an easily tamed and interesting pet. 



ERNEST THOMPSON SETON. 



528a. A. 1. holboelli (Brehm). HOLBCELL'S REDPOLL. Similar to 



A. 1. linaria, but larger, the bill longer. W., 3'20; T., 2'35; B., '38; depth of 



B. at base, '22. 



Range. N. parts of N. Hemisphere. Breeds on Herschel Is. ; s. in winter 

 to Germany, Japan, and se. Siberia; occasional in migration to nw. Alaska 

 and se. to Keewatin, Iowa, Ills., Mass., Maine, and Que. 



Cambridge, very rare W. V. 



This is an intermediate between A. I. linaria and A. I. rostrata, most 

 closely approaching the former, from which it sometimes can with diffi- 

 culty be distinguished. It is an exceedingly rare bird in eastern North 

 America, where there are but few records of its occurrence. 



528b. A. 1. rostrata (Coues). GREATER^ REDPOLL. Similar to A. 

 I. linaria, but larger, the margins to the feathers of the upperparts averaging 

 darker, the bill shorter and stouter. L., 5'50; W., 3'20; T., 2'55; B., '35; 

 depth of B. at base, '28. 



Range. Resident in Greenland. In winter s. through Man., Ont., Que., 

 and Ungava to Colo., n. Ills., Mich., n. Ind., N. J., and Mass. 



Ossining, A. V. Cambridge, irregular W. V., Nov.-Feb. SE. Minn., 

 uncommon W. V. 



