294 CHAMBERLAIN, Birds of Southern Greenland. [October 
with should be referred to Zzzarza. It is, however, but fair to him te 
state that at that time he had not seen the latest determinations upon this 
much involved group.—M. C. ] 
Redpolls are abundant in summer, and breed in all suitable localities. 
In the autumn of 1886 the majority had left the vicinity of Ivigtut by 
September 24, but afew were seen much later. On October 26 three or 
four were observed, and though none appeared in November, on the fifth 
day of December one was about the village, and three days later some five 
or six were discovered on the northern side of the fjord, in some bushes 
close down by the shore, and were seen again in the same place on the 
following day. Mr. Hagerup considers that in appearance and voice these 
birds were exactly the same as dzzar¢a, and he has no reason to think they 
should be referred to hornemannzz, which latter Holb6ll says remains 
in Greenland all the year, through restricted to the high land. 
The first spring arrivals in 1887 were observed on April 24, and the next 
comers were noted six days later; the latter were some single birds and one 
party of three. These were flying at an elevation of about one hundred 
feet, against a W. N. W. wind, and appeared to have come over the high 
land—from the eastward. On May 6 several appeared in the valley near 
Ivigtut, and by the roth of the month these birds were quite common. The 
flock remained about the village several weeks before they began to build. 
On June 21 a nest was found which contained young about ready for 
their maiden effort on the wing. On the same day another nest was found 
with one egg in it, and five days later five eggs more had been added, when 
five were then taken. The parent continued to sit upon the single egg, but 
when this was taken the nest was abandoned. This bird was remarkably 
tame, allowing an intruder to approach within arm’s length, and then get- 
ting out of reach slowly and silently. 
These nests, as well as others that were examined, were situated amid 
the willow thickets, near to running water, and were placed on the lower 
branches of the bushes, very close to the ground, or in a tuft of grass. 
They were composed exteriorly of straws,* and lined with whitish vegeta- 
ble wool and a few white feathers from the Ptarmigan. They were very 
thick and warm. 
During the latter part of June, when the willows are just in leaf, the 
majority of the young birds are on the wing, and they congregate near the 
houses and especially on the refuse heaps of the brewery, where they are 
easily captured. Some eight or ten were taken alive there on the first day 
of July, 1887. Of these Mr. Hagerup secured an adult male and two young 
birds, and placed them in a cage by an open window. In a few days an 
adult female and three young were enticed into the chamber by the prison- 
ers, and were secured. After fourteen days confinement some of the young 
were given their liberty, but ina few hours they allreturned. The princi- 
pal food given the captives was groats softened in water. 
Of the five young birds, four were dressed in brownish gray, the backs 
* Probably dried grass is meant.—M. C. 
