Nests in Treas, Bushes, or Vines 



Breeding Range — In the Alleghanics, from North Carolina north- 

 ward, and in the Northern States. 



The nest is usually placed in evergreens at a height vary- 

 ing from fourteen feet upwards. It is composed of strips of 

 bark, small twigs, roots, and leaves, lined with moss, hair, grass, 

 and pine roots. The eggs, 3 to 4 in number, are pale green- 

 ish, with spots, dots, and blotches of purple brown and light 

 lilac gray, chiefly at the larger end. Size — .83 x .55. 



These eccentric-looking birds may be readily distinguished 

 from the white-winged crossbills by the fact that they have no 

 white on the wings; their crossed bills serve to distinguish them 

 from any other of the finches. The breeding season begins as 

 early as February or March. (Davie.) 



522. White-winged Crossbill: Loxia leucoptera Gmel. 



Adult ?j — Upper parts pinkish red ; somewhat streaked with deep 

 brown on the back; under parts pinkish red, shading into 

 grayish on the belly; wings black, with n'hite markings. 



Adtilfi — Upper parts dull greenish yellow, somewhat mottled 

 with dark brown; under parts grayish yellow, with dark 

 brown mottling; wings have white markings; tips of bills 

 crossed. Length — 6,03. 



Breeding Range — From the Northern States, northward. 



The nest is composed of "twigs and strips of birch bark, 

 covered exteriorly with moss (Usnea) and lined with soft moss 

 and hair, on the fork of an evergreen in deep forests." 



The eggs are pale blue, rather thickly covered at the larger 

 end with fine dots of blackish and lilac gray. Size — .80 x .56. 



This is by no means so common a bird as its relative, the 

 American or red crossbill, and but little is known of its breeding 

 habits. During the present winter (1899-1900) these birds have 

 been very common in South Orange, New Jersey, and have 

 usually been seen in company of the American crossbill. 



529. American Goldfinch; Yellow-blrd: Splnus tristis 



(Linn.) 



Adult f, — Lemon yellow, except the crown, wings, and tail, which 

 are black. 



Adult '^ —\}\A\ greenish or olive yellow; nearly white on the 



143 



