166 



(Figure 52, p. 26). The male is dull red, brighter on rump; females and juveniles similar 

 with the red replaced by greenish or yellow. No wing bars. 



Distinctions. The crossed bill is distinctive of the Crossbills; the lack of white wing 

 bar designates this species. 



Field Marks. Small winter bird often in large flocks. Notes somewhat similar to 

 those of Goldfinches, but individuals show red coloration. Climbing, almost parrot-Uke, 

 habits. 



Nesting. Usually in coniferous trees; in nest of twigs and grasses lined with moss 

 and rootlets. 



Distribution. The coniferous forests of both hemispheres. The American Crossbill 

 breeds north of dense settlement and southward along the mountain ranges east and 

 west. Irregularly common in winter in southern Canada. 



SUBSPECIES. The American Crossbill is a subspecies of the Crossbill, an Old a'; 

 well as New World species, and bears the trinomial name L. c. minor. 



The Crossbills ar^ also birds that irregularly come out of the north to 

 southern Canada in the winter, reoccur commonly for successive seasons, 

 and then vanish perhaps for years. 



Economic Status. This species feeds almost entirely upon coniferous 

 seeds — pine, hemlock, and cedar; berries of the climbing bittersweet and 

 seeds of rotten apples on the trees are also taken. The speed and skill with 

 which the seed is removed from pine cones makes one think that the crossed 

 bill is necessary for this work until one finds normally billed species doing 

 the same thing with equal ease. 



522. White-winged Crossbill, fb. — le bec-crois£ X ailes blanches. Loxia 

 leucoptera. L, 6-05. Similar to preceding species, but with white bars on wings. 



Distinctions. Perhaps a little brighter in coloration than the American, but showing 

 considerable variation in tint and shade. The white wing bars and crossed bill are always 

 diagnostic. 



So similar to the preceding in habits and occurrence that no special 

 discussion is necessary. 



Genus — Acanthis. Redpolls. L, 5-5 • 50. 



General Description. Small sparrows with short, sharp bills; crown with a dull crimson 

 cap; a suffused black chin spot; back and flanks streaked with browns, ashy, and white. 

 Adiilt males have rosy breasts and the rump more or less tinged with pink; suggestions 

 of this tint show in other plumages. 



Distinctions. The smaU crimson cap is always distinctive. 



Nesting. In low shrubs; nest of grasses lined with hair, often white rabbit or fox 

 fur, feathers, or plant-down. 



Distribution. Circumpolar and Arctic in breeding range, migrating south irregularly 

 in winter. 



There are two species of Redpolls in eastern Canada, divided into five 

 subspecies, all so nearly alike that it requires special experience to differ- 

 entiate them accurately. The dividing line between species is very fine, the 

 subspecies intergrade and, as considerable individual and age variation 

 exists, it is only by attention to small details that they can be separated. 



The distinctive characters are given more as suggestions than as final 

 differentiations. 



Economic Status. See Redpoll Linnet. 



527. Hornemann's Redpoll. Acanthis homemanni. L, 5. Light-coloured Redpolls 

 with white or rosy unspotted rump. Adults with feather edgings fight so that a typical 

 bird looks Uke a Common Redpoll seen through a white veil. 



