The Common Redpoll 



the edge of the forest." Specimens secured showed that these birds 

 fed habitually upon birch buds, or upon the tenderer portions of the 

 Artemisia. 



The comparison with Spinus pinns is quite apropos; but the student 

 is likely also to compare the Redpoll with the more familiar Willow 

 Goldfinch. The resemblance between these two species is a striking 

 one, both in form and appearance, as well as in habit and note. Once, 

 however, the eyes have been assured by a near revelation of convincing 

 red that A canthis linaria linaria and not A stragalinus tristis salicamans 

 is before them, the ears remark also a slight foreign accent in the sweetie 

 call, and in the rattling flight notes. 



As in so many similar cases, we are not permitted to know just what 

 the determining causes of a southern movement are. It is known that 

 the Redpoll can withstand the fiercest cold, even that of northern Alaska. 

 Possibly the migration is dictated by diminishing food supply. Or 

 perhaps it is "just for instance." That will cloak our ignorance as well 

 as anything. And who are we that we should deny the birds the right 

 to be whimsical or erratic, or to answer, "Oh, just because," to our im- 

 pertinent questions? We got our own wanderlust from the birds, anyway. 



While in the South, the Redpoll is little dependent upon the forests 

 and not at all upon the offerings of evergreen trees. It seeks, rather, the 

 open wind-swept plains, or the scanty shelter of willow-bordered streams. 

 It subsists partly upon seeds as well as upon buds, or "browse." A 

 large flock may feed for half an hour at a time in industrious silence; or 

 else it may break out with a babel of pleasant chatter, very heartening to 

 the listening ear. Redpoll again proves kinship with Goldfinch by 

 eating thistle-seeds; and with Siskin by his extravagant fondness for the 

 alder catkin. Like a Chickadee, too, he rather prefers to cling to a 

 branch back downward, so that he can feed with head uphill. When you 

 think of it, now, it must be easier to let food trickle downhill than to 

 lift the head every time, or to gulp against gravity. These little rascals 

 have their reasons. 



Redpoll's manner is very confiding; and we are sure that he would 

 not begrudge us a share of his winter viands, if we cared for them. The 

 author is no hide-bound vegetarian, but he is gratified to record that a 

 "simple diet of grains, fruits and nuts" makes for contentment among 

 the birds, even at forty below zero. 



As spring comes on, and the gentle hyperboreans prepare to return 

 to their native heather, one may see the deep-dyed crimson of full regalia 

 on crown and breast. But during the actual breeding season, we are told 

 by a competent observer in Greenland, Holboell, that the male not only 

 becomes exceedingly shy but loses his rosy coloring. It is hardly to be 



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