Sept., 1920 NOTES ON SOME BIRDS OF INTERIOR ALASKA 183 
Pinicola enucleator alascensis. Alaska Pine Grosbeak. A few were seen in 
black spruce forest near Tanana, October 6, 1911, and in burned spruces, October 20, 
and several specimens were secured. Specimens were also taken at Fairbanks by H. 
J. Christoffers. 
Loxia leucoptera. White-winged Crossbill. A specimen was taken August 17, 
1911, from a flock of five which were in the top of a dead black spruce in burned tim- 
ber near Fairbanks. In March and April, 1912, they were common in black spruce 
timber at the head of the North Fork of the Kuskokwim, and one specimen was se- 
cured. On July 7 and 11 several pairs were noted in white spruce timber and in willows 
along the North Fork above the entrance of the Hast Fork. They are locally called the 
“canary”, evidently with reference to their song, which, as heard in the winter, is clear 
and very sweet. 
Acanthis hornemanni exilipes. Hoary Redpoll. Occasionally seen in lowland 
willows and alders, in white spruce forest, and in burned black spruce forest near Tana- 
na in flocks of six to one hundred birds, from December 28, 1911, to February 15, 1912. 
Specimens were taken. 
‘ Acanthis linaria linaria. Redpoll. Common in flocks at Tanana and at the head 
of the North Fork of the Kuskokwim during the fall and winter of 1911-1912. Speci- 
mens were taken at both localities. They occur in willows and alders, in white spruce 
and paper birch forest, in black spruce forest, in blueberries and dwarf birches, and 
in burned forest. None were seen above timber-line. Their principal winter food is 
the seeds of alders and dwarf birches. February 17, 1912, a number were observed 
drinking the water at an overflow on the Tanana River near Coskaket. At the head 
of the North Fork of the Kuskokwim three nests were found in willows and in a small 
paper birch in late May and early June, 1912. (See Dice, Condor, 20,1918, pp. 129-131.) 
‘Their call is a drawn out cheed. 
Acanthis linaria holboelli. Hclb6ll Redpoll. One specimen was taken December 
3, 1911, from a small flock in burned black spruce forest ten miles north of Tanana. 
Each flock of redpolls seems to be composed of only one variety, although the three 
varieties occur in the same locality. 
Plectrophenax nivalis nivalis. Snow Bunting. Numerous in large flocks April 
7, 1912, in burned white spruce—paper birch forest and in partially cleared parts of the 
Tanana Valley near Tanana. 
Passerculus sandwichensis alaudinus. Western Savannah Sparrow. A few noted 
in white spruce—paper birch forest along the North Fork of the Kuskokwim near its 
head in May and June, 1912. They first appeared on May 15. One specimen was se- 
cured. Another was taken at the junction with the McKinley Fork in black spruces 
on July 2. On July 27 several were seen and cne secured in dwarf birch and sphagnum 
just above timber-line on the hills near Takotna. A well-grown young was taken August 
16 at the edge of willows on a river-bar a short distance below Kaltshak. Mr: He J. 
Christoffers took one specimen at Fairbanks. 
Zonotrichia leucophrys gambeli. Gambel Sparrow. A flock of young accom- 
panied by parents was noted in willows beside the Yukon at Sheep Creek near Eagle, 
July 20, 1911. One was secured in scrub alders and willows in a clearing on a low 
hillside near Fairbanks, August 17. Common at Tanana in the summer of 1911, where 
they were last seen September 2. Common in May and June, 1912, in white spruce— 
paper birch forest and in willows along the Kuskokwim near the head of the North 
Fork, where the first male arrived May! 17. A nest containing five well-incubated eggs 
was found June 6 in burned black spruce timber. The nest was composed of dried 
grasses and leaves and was placed in a slight depression of the ground under a dwarf 
birch. On July 18 several were seen in a small garden at Boerner. A specimen was 
taken July 27 in scrub alders near timber-line on the hills near Takotna. Other speci- 
mens were preserved from Tanana and from the head of the North Fork of the Kus- 
kokwim. 
Spizella monticola ochracea. Western Tree Sparrow. Common in small flocks 
near Tanana in the fall of 1911, until September 28. They were first seen at the head 
of the North Fork of the Kuskokwim on May 7, 1912, when a flock of twenty was ob- 
served. One was seen on a willow-bar below Kaltshak on August 16. They occur in 
lowland willows and alders, in white Spruce—paper birch forest, and in burned white 
