182 



528b. Acanthis linaria rostrata (Cones). [179a.] Greater Redpoll. 



A northern species, rarely seen in the United States. The only in- 

 stance of its capture within the Mississippi Valley is the record of a 

 specimen taken November 2, 1878, at Chicago, 111., by Mr. H. K. Coale. 



529. Spinus tristis (Linn.). [181.] American Goldfinch. 



The Thistle-bird or American Goldfinch is found in winter over most 

 of the United States, and breeds throughout the greater part of its 

 range except in the southernmost portions. In the winter of 1883-'84 

 it was reported from various stations up to northern Illinois, southern 

 Minnesota, and southeastern Dakota. Considering the severity of the 

 winter it is not to be wondered at that it was found no farther north, 

 but had it been a mild, open winter, like that of 1877-'78, it would 

 have remained almost at our northern boundary. About the middle 

 or latter part of March records began to appear at points within their 

 usual winter range where they had not been seen during the cold 

 weather, showing that at this date the birds began to spread from their 

 winter quarters. But it was late before the species began to advance 

 beyond its ordinary winter limits. It seems not to have made up its 

 mind to migrate until the last week in April, and then it was two 

 weeks in getting fairly started. In Wisconsin the first came to West 

 Depere May 14; in Minnesota they appeared at Pine Bend May 24. 

 May 28 the species was seen at Portage La Prairie, Manitoba ; the 

 next day one was seen as far north as Oak Point, Manitoba. By far 

 the larger part of the movement of this species took place in the last 

 few days of April and the first days of May. The record from Saint 

 Louis furnishes a full account of the movements from about the latitude 

 in which tbe bulk winters. It was seen all winter in many places — not 

 in flocks, but as scattered single birds.* These birds were very quiet, 

 keeping on or near the ground, generally in company with Tree Sparrows, 

 and all in plain winter dress. The first flock came February 24 ; they were 

 in song. They remained in about the same numbers for more than a 

 month ; March 22 a flock of transients was seen going north. April 

 27 a flock of males in high dress began to arrive; the next day there 

 was an increase from the arrival of the bulk of the males of the summer 

 residents and transients; there were then more males than females. 

 April 29 they were numerous and noisy, singing males attracting pass- 

 ing males which were seen descending. Another day and they were 

 at the height of the season, Goldfinches everywhere, both males and 

 females. May 5 the bulk of the males left; three days later the bulk 

 of the females followed, and by May 10 the summer residents were in 

 pairs and quiet reigned. 



In the fall of 1884 the last Thistle-bird was seen at Mount Carrnei, 

 Mo., December 10; but none were noted at San Angelo, Tex., after 

 September 7. Some of them remained north very late. They were 



* At Manhattan, Kans., directly west of Saint Louis, a thousand were seen in a sin- 

 gle day, January 12. 



