PERCHING BIRDS 



528. Redpoll. Acanthis linaria linaria. 



Range. — Breeds within the Arctic Circle; 

 winters south to New York, Kansas and north- 

 ern California and casually farther. 



This species is similar to the last but mucn 

 darker, and the rump is also streaked with 

 blackish. These handsome birds are often met 

 with in winter, feeding on seeds 

 of the weed stems that project 

 above the snow. Their flight 

 and song is similar to that of the 

 Goldfinch or Pine Siskin. They 

 nest at low elevations, either in 

 Bhiish green trees or bushes. The eggs num- 

 ber from three to six and are pale bluish, spar- 

 ingly specked with reddish brown. Size .65 x 

 .50. Data. — Mouth of Great Whale River, Hud- 

 son Bay, May 16, 1899. Nest in a willow 4 feet 

 from the ground; made of fine rootlets and 

 grass, lined with feathers. Collector, A. P. 

 Lowe. 



■^^^Sixs^- 



w-~r--i«ril 



Redpoll 



.528a. Holboll's Redpoll. Acanthis linaria holboelli. 



Range. — Arctic regions; south casually to the border of the United States. 



A slightly larger variety of the common Redpoll. Eggs probably not dis- 

 tinguished. 



528b. Greater Redpoll. Acanlhin linaria roslralu. 



Range. — Breeds in southern Greenland; in winter south through Labrador to 

 the northern border of the United States. 



This variety is larger and darker than the common Redpoll. It has been 

 found breeding abundantly in southern Greenland, where its nesting habits are 



the same as those of the Redpoll and the eggs 

 similar hut averaging a trifie larger. 



529- Goldfinch. Astragalinux frisfis tristis 



Range. — North America east of the Rockies, 

 and from Labrador and Manitoba southward. 



These beautiful birds are 



among our sweetest song- 

 sters from May until Sep- 

 tember. They are resident 

 throughout their United States 

 range, where they breed in 

 August or early in Septem- Bluish white 

 ber, being one of the latest nesting birds that 

 we have. Their nests are located in bushes, at 

 a height of generally below fifteen feet above 

 the ground, being placed in upright forks, and 

 made of plant fibres and thistle down, firmly 

 woven together. They lay from three to six 

 plain bluish white eggs. Size .65 x .50. The ma- 

 jority of nests that I have found have been in 

 alders over small streams; 



Goldfinch 



329 



