OF THE HAMILTON ASSOCIATION. 229 



Like our other winter birds, the Redpolls are somewhat irregu- 

 lar in their visits, but are more frequently seen than either the 

 Grosbeaks or Crossbills. Sometimes they appear in October and 

 remain till late .in March, while in other seasons onl}' an 

 occasional roving flock is seen during the winter, and 

 again they are entirely absent. They are hardy, active, little 

 birds, and must consume a large quantity of seeds, which can 

 well be spared from the weedy places the birds frequent. 



Before leaving in spring, the breast of the male assumes a 

 soft rosy tint, which adds greatly to his beauty when seen 

 amons: the snow. 



206. ACANTHIS LINARIA HOLBCELLII (Brehm). 528 a. 

 Holbosll's Redpoll. 



Like the last ; length, 6 ; wing, 3-25 ; tail, 2-75 ; bill longer. 



Hab. Northern portions of Northern Hemisphere, near the sea coast. 



I have occasionally found among the common Redpolls, 

 individuals of large size which answer to the description given 

 of this species. As they are never numerous, and have not 

 been observed in flocks by themselves, those we see may be 

 stragglers from the main body of their race, which is said to 

 keep well up to the north and east. 



207. ACANTHIS LINARIA ROSTRATA (Coues). 528b. 

 Greater Redpoll. 



Bill regularly conic, only moderately compressed and acute, as high as 

 long at the base ; color, black or yellow according to the season. Frontlet 

 black, overlaid with hoary, a recognized light superciliary stripe reachirg to 

 the bill. Crimson cap over nearly all the crown. Upper-parts streaked with 

 brownish-black and white, the latter edging and tipping the feathers, this 

 white nearly pure, only slightly flaxen on the sides of the head and neck. 

 Wings and tail as in other species. Rump and entire under-parts, from the 

 sooty throat, white, free from spots ; the rump and breast rosy. 



Hab. Greenland and Northeastern North America, south irregularly in 

 winter to New England, New York and Northern Illinois. 



