FRIXGILLID.K — THE KIXCIIKS. 495 



defined ; in the brood in,Lj-s(>ason tlio iiliiinajxo assunios a burnt aiipoaranoo, 

 the dark tints intonsiryand s])read, so that soniotinu's the inipor parts appoar 

 almost nnitbrndy dusky; the liill appoars lar;j;or, in consoiiuence of the h'ss 

 devekiinucnt of its basal tut'ts, tiian in winter. In tliis ihisky suiuuior ('(uidi- 

 tion those birds I'orni the vA'. fii>:irs(riin and ./i'. rasfntfuti of Couos, tlu' latter 

 being the sunnner plumage of var. /lullxV/i, tlie former that of var. /iiicrii's. 

 In the series of over two hundred examples examined, all niidsnnnner spoti- 

 meiis are in the plumage of fnaccsa'iix or rotilmtus, while the latter is not 

 seen in any autunnial, winter, or sjiring birds. 



Speeiniens of tiie var. ImlhuUi have been received from Quebec, collected 

 by Mr. W. Couper. 



Haijits. Accepting as variations due either to looality, latitude, or seascm 

 the differences already reforri'd to in tlie |ilumage of this siiecios, it is not 

 neces.sary to consider the (juestion of races in connection with our story of 

 their habits. We jtossess but very little information as to thoir jieouliarities 

 as races in these respects. Treating, thci, tlie Lesser liod-1'oll, thougli a])- 

 pearing in hmr dilfering i)ha.ses, as one spocies, we claim it to be common to 

 the northern portions of botli hemi.'jpheres. 



It is found throughout northern North America from the Atlantic to the 

 Pacific, is abundant in the boreal regions of Kurope, and ]irobably of Asia 

 also. On the Pacific coast, Dr. ('oo])er has ob.sorved it only as far south as 

 AVashington Territory. Farther nortii it is nnich more abiuidant. Mr. P>an- 

 nister found it common at St. jMichaels, both in summer and in winter. At 

 Nulato INfr. Dall found this sju'cies very common in Mintor, and very lilth^ 

 less so in sunnner. He states that tlie nest is usually lined with liair, and 

 covered externally witli moss, dry grass, and like materials, built in bushes, 

 near the ground. They begin to build thi! ir)th of May. Tlu; eggs are laid 

 about the 1st of dune, and the young are flying near the end of July. 

 The young of the fii>it year are dark, with a small patch of laown on tlie 

 breast. After their sei'ond year the males increase tlie amount of rose- 

 color on the head and breast, and the very old birds are (piite brilliant in the 

 breeding-sea,son. At St. Michaels, wliore there are no trees and very few 

 bushes, these birds froipiently build tlii'ir nests in the gras.s. 



Mr. Dall states that this bird has no song, but that tlu'ir cheerful twitter- 

 ing and chirping, tlieir fearless and socialilo ways, their bright ])lumage and 

 elegant nests, are iiuite enough to make tliem giuieral favorites. 



liiehardson found ''is neat and liardy little bird one of the few jiormanent 

 residents of the fur c iitries, whore it was seen, in the coldest wiiather, on the 

 banks of lakes and rivers, ho])])ing among the reeds or clinging to their sialk.s. 



Mr Lord found this sjiooios a rare bird in Iiritish Columbia. It was found 

 in swampy placijs, wliere the alders grew thickly, and Mlien; there wore large 

 water-])lants. To tiiose it clings, pecking at their seed-jiods, or, searcliing the 

 remaining flowors, feiuls ujion anv insects they may contain, 'i'lioir song he 

 describes as a soft and pretty warble, coming in bursts, tlie singor jiercliing 



