ON THE EUROPEAN REDPOLLS. 
By Aurrep Newton, M.A., F.R.S., V.-P.Z.S., &e. 
HaAvInG on two previous occasions expressed my opinion (Zool. 
Qnd ser. 2223, 3880) on some matters relating to the nomenclature 
and distribution of the European Redpolls, I think it only right to 
acquaint the readers of this journal with certain results at which 
1 have arrived after several prolonged examinations, in consultation 
with my friend Mr. Dresser, of a very considerable series of speci- 
mens from various localities—the more so since on a few points, 
and these not altogether unimportant, my views have thereby been 
somewhat modified. I have now come to the conclusion that we 
must count four forms of Redpoll among the birds of Europe, 
three of which have been obtained in the British Islands. 
1. There is the real Fringilla linaria of Linneus. This is the 
Mealy Redpoll of English authors, and seems to have the widest 
range of all the forms. Specimens from this country (to which it 
is a not infrequent winter visitant), from Lapland, Northern Russia, 
Japan, California, Pennsylvania, and Greenland (to which last it is 
only a summer visitant), cannot by any means that I know be 
distinguished from one another. In Part 10 of the revised (4th) 
edition of Yarrell’s ‘British Birds’ (ii. pp. 1383—143), I have 
attempted a full account of its history, under the name of Linota 
linaria. Among its numerous synonyms are Linota borealis and, 
to some extent, LZ. canescens. . 
2. Considerably surpassing the foregoing in size, and dis- 
tinguishable besides by its very hoary plumage and deeply-forked 
tail is the Linota hornemanni of Holbéll. This is a resident in 
Greenland, whence, many years ago, Mr. Bond, I myself and others 
received its nests and eggs. It would appear from a specimen in 
Mr. Hancock’s collection to be the form of Redpoll which occurs 
in Iceland. It is also the bird found breeding in Spitsbergen by 
Mr. Eaton (Zool. 2nd ser. 8805—8808), and, under the English 
name of Arctic Redpoll, Mr. Hancock has figured a specimen (B. 
Northumb. & Durh. pl. 5, p. 54) which was obtained at Whitburn, 
April 24, 1855. There are grounds for believing that it has strayed 
in winter to the north of France, and probably indeed it occurs, 
though in small numbers, every winter in Scandinavia and in 
‘the northern parts of the American continent. The kindness of 
