382 FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 



"The Greater Redpoll is often rather common, and in February, 

 1883, it occurred along the seacoast near Boston in positive abundance. 

 As one sees them in winter in New England, the forms just mentioned, 

 with A. hornemannii exilipes, do not differ appreciably in notes, habits, 

 or general appearance. It is true that A. I. rostrata may be often recog- 

 nized by its superior size, but the birds as a rule are so nervous and rest- 

 less, and when in large flocks so constantly in motion and so likely to 

 depart altogether at any moment, that a free use of the gun is ordinarily 

 indispensable to positive identification" (Brewster, Minot's "Land 

 Birds and Game Birds," 2d ed., App., p. 472). 



529. Astragalinus tristis tristis (Linn.). GOLDFINCH. Ad. <? in summer. 

 Bright canary-yellow; crown, wings and tail black; wing-bars and inner 

 vanes of tail-feathers white; longer upper tail-coverts gray; lesser wing- 

 coverts yellow. This plumage is acquired at the second prenuptial molt. Ad. <? 

 in winter. Wings and tail as in summer but white edgings wider, lesser wing- 

 coverts still yellow; back grayish brown, olive-tinged; throat and chest dull 

 yellow, belly whitish, sides brownish buff. Im. <? in winter. Similar to ad. d" 

 in winter but lesser wing-coverts olive-green or olive-gray. Im. <?. in sum- 

 mer. Similar to ad. d 1 in summer but lesser wing-coverts as in winter. Ad. 9 

 summer. No black crown-cap; upperparts yellowish brown; below dull 

 yellow; wings and tail less black than in ad. d 1 ; lesser wing-coverts olive- 

 green. Ad. 9 and Im. 9 in winter. Similar to im. d" in winter, but wings 

 and tail less black. L., 5'10; W., 2'82; T., 1'95; B., '40. 



Range. E. N. Am. Breeds in lower Canadian, Transition, and Upper 

 Austral zones from s. Man., cen. Que., and N. F., s. to e. Colo., s. Okla., cen. 

 Ark., and n. Ga.; winters over most of its breeding area and s. to Gulf coast. 



Washington, common P. R. Ossining, common P. R. Cambridge, very 

 common P. R. N. Ohio, common P. R. Glen Ellyn, common P. R. SE. 

 Minn., P. R., common in summer, uncommon in winter. 



Nest, externally of fine grasses, strips of bark, and moss, thickly lined 

 with thistledown, in trees or bushes, 5-30 feet up. Eggs, 3-6, pale bluish 

 white, '65 x *48. Date, D. C., July 5; Newport, R. I., June 20; Cambridge, 

 July 21; Ogle Co., Ills., June 30; se. Minn., July 26. 



Except when nesting, Goldfinches are generally found in small 

 flocks. Few birds seem to enjoy life more than these merry rovers. 

 Every month brings them a change of fare, and in pursuit of fresh 

 dainties the nesting-time is delayed almost until summer begins to wane. 



Seed-bearing plants, whether in field or garden, form their larder; 

 the old sunflowers rattle before their vigorous attack; the thistles spring 

 into sudden blossom of black and gold as they swing from the nodding 

 heads. 



Their flight is expressive of their joyous nature, and as they bound 

 through the air they hum a gay 



