476 MICHIGAN BIRD LIFE. 
214. Greater Redpoll. Acanthis linaria rostrata (Coues). (528b) 
Synonyms: giothus rostratus, Coues, 1861.—Acanthis linaria rostrata, Stejn., 1884, 
A. U. O. Check-list, 1886. 
Similar to the common Redpoll (and also to Holbcell’s Redpoll),* but 
much larger, darker, and the bill relatively shorter, thicker, and less acute 
Ridgw.). 
De 1 eel and northeastern North America, south irregu- 
larly in winter to New England, New York, and northern Ilinois. 
Apparently a rare winter visitor to Michigan. ‘The first specimen 
recorded was taken by F. H. Chapin, of Kalamazoo, in the winter of 1878, 
and referred to Dr. Morris Gibbs, and by him to Robt. Ridgway, for identi- 
fication. A second specimen, a female, is in the High School Museum of 
Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., taken near that place, December 7, 1899, by W. P. 
Melville, and identified by the Division of Biological Survey, U. 8. Depart- 
ment of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. Two more females were taken 
near Kalamazoo, one January 23, 1904, and the other March 1, 1904, by W. 
Wilkowski, Jr., and identified by Ridgway. These were found in flocks 
of the common Redpoll. 
In northern Wisconsin, according to Kumlien and Hollister (Birds of 
Wisconsin, p. 93), more than thirty specimens were collected in Dunn 
county, in the winter of 1895-96, and examples identified by Ridgway. 
Others have been taken from time to time in Wisconsin, always associated 
with the common Redpoll. 
TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION. 
Ridgway discriminates between this bird and its nearest relatives as follows: Length 
about 5.25 to 5.75 inches; with proportionally shorter, thicker, and less acute bill; wing 
averaging more than 3.15 in males, more than 3.05 in females; color also usually darker 
than in A. linaria and A. holbeili, the lateral lower parts usually much more broadly or 
heavily striped. 
Male: Wing 3.05 to 3.30 inches; tail 2.35 to 2.70; exposed culmen .32 to .42; depth of 
bill at base .25 to .30; tarsus .60 to .70. Female: Wing 2.95 to 3.25; tail 2.40 to 2.60; 
exposed culmen .33 to .42; depth of bill at base .25 to .30; tarsus .60 to .68. 
215. Goldfinch. Astragalinus tristis tristis (Linn.). (529) 
Synonyms: American Goldfinch, Yellowbird, Thistle-bird, Lettuce-bird, Wild Canary’ 
—Fringilla tristis, Linn., 1758, also of Wilson, Bonap., Audubon, Nuttall—Spinus tristis’ 
A. O. U. Check-list, 1886.—Chrysomitris tristis, Baird, Allen, Coues and others. 
Figure 113. 
The male in summer, with lemon-yellow body, velvet-black cap, and 
black wings and tail with white edgings, is unmistakable. The female 
is yellowish brown without strong contrasts of color, although yellow 
predominates below. 
Distribution.—Temperate North America generally, south in winter 
to lower boundary of lower California; breeds southward to the middle 
districts of the United States, and winters mainly within the United States. 
One of the commonest and best known birds throughout the state, 
* For note on Holbeell’s Redpoll, see Appendix. 
