172 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE NATURAL HISTORY OF ALASKA. 



528. AOAN'rnis linaria (Linn.). Redpoll. 



The common Redpoll is a resident of all parts of Alaska excepting the Aleutian Chain. At 

 the latter place (Aleutian chain proper) this species is a summer visitor only, though breeding 

 here. It makes its appearance in April and remains until the latter part of October. It was never 

 observed west of (Jnalashka Island. 



In the Yukon district it is one of the commonest birds to be met with. It breeds wherever 

 found in the summer. 



The male birds with their brilliant rosy breasts and crown, their cheerful twitter makes them 

 a general favorite. 



The rosiuess is not fully developed until after the second year. The young birds resemble the 

 females of the second or third year, though old females also have a faint rosy tinge on the breast. 



Their sociability was so developed that they would sit on the wind-vane, placed on a high staff 

 and turn round with the vane as the wind veered or backed. The yards often contained a hundred 

 at a time. They were quite fearless and only took flight for a few feet. 



The nest and eggs were not obtained. The natives assert that it breeds at Saint Michael's, 

 among the bunches of weeds and grasses. 



The Eskimo call this species by the same name as the Hoary Redpoll. The natives recog- 

 nize no specific differences between the two. 



My own observation tends to the same belief. They are so intimately associated that only 

 the most rigid comparisons separate them in even a slight degree. 



534. Plectrophenax nivalis (Linn). Snowflalce. 



This pleasant and familiar little bird may be seen at Saint Michael's, or in its vicinity, at any 

 season of the year, excepting during the protracted periods of coldest weather in midwinter. It 

 is very abundant in the spring months of May and June. In April it is usually found in large 

 flocks on the low ground near the Canal. As the snow is melted off of the higher grounds it 

 repairs there to procure the seeds that remain from the last year. By the 15th of May the birds 

 begin to separate into pairs and seek the cliffs and bluffs, on the sides of which they build their 

 nests in June. The nest is placed on some small jutting point from the cliff, or sometimes in a 

 chink or crevice. I have seen only deserted nests. The young are able to fly by the 1st of August, 

 and they, with their parents, remain together until October, when they assemble into larger flocks, 

 sometimes of hundreds in number. 



The Snowflake is irregularly migratory from the coast to the interior in the higher latitudes, and 

 are permanent residents of the Yukon District. 



I observed this . bird at Nushagak on Bristol Bay in June, 1878, under such circumstances 

 that led me to conclude it was breeding. 



At Unalashka Island the Snowflake was seen on the eastern end of the island only in April 

 and May and never during the summer months. While at Chernovsky (village) I saw this bird 

 abundant in the middle of June, 1880. At Akutan Island I have seen it in July and September. 



Among the western islands of the Aleutian Chain the Snowflake is a permanent resident, 

 breeding there in great abundance at Atkha and Amchitka. At Attn Island the bird is plentiful 

 at all seasons, and in the hardest weather may be seen on the gravelty beach eagerly searching 

 for food. They breed here in numbers. The note of the male during the breeding season is a clear 

 whistle prolonged through several notes and cadences. Its note can be heard a great distance. 



The female utters only a chirp, which is also the note of the male at other than the breeding 

 season. 



Among the Aleutian Islands the summer plumage is assumed in the early part of May, and in 

 the latter part of May at Saint Michael's. 



I -observed this bird at Belkovsky in July, 1881, and at Kadiak in the early part of August, 

 1881. At the latter place young birds of the season were abundant. 



The Eskimo name of this bird is A mou 6 thlig uk, and refers to the white plumage contrasted 

 with the black. 



