REDPOLL. 
357 
before. They. have a quailing call perfectly similar to that 
of the Yellow Bird {Fringilla (risiis), twee twee, or tshe-vee ; 
and when crowding together in flight make a confused chirp- 
ing ' twit' itwit' twit' twit 'twit, with a rattling noise, and some- 
times go off with a simultaneous twitter. Occasionally they 
descend from their favorite birches and pick up sunflower 
seeds and those of the various weedy Chenopodiums growing 
in wastes. At length they seemed attracted to the pines by 
the example of the Crossbills, and were busily employed in 
collecting their seeds. As the weather becomes colder they 
also roost in these sheltering evergreens ; and confused flocks 
are seen whirling about capriciously in quest of fare, sometimes 
descending on the fruit-trees to feed on their buds by way of 
variety. Though thus urged from their favorite regions in the 
north, there appeared no obvious reason for their movements, 
as we found them fat and not driven to migrate from any 
imminent necessity. 
In Nuttall’s day but two forms of Redpoll were recognized by 
naturalists, — linaria and canescens exilipes) •, but now there 
are five, — or six, if we count the hj-pothetical brewsterii. Similar 
as these appear to the casual observer, an expert can readily divide 
them when examples of the different races are compared, though it 
is sometimes difficult to refer a specimen with accuracy unless so 
compared. 
The habitat of true linaria is now given as “ northern portions 
of northern hemisphere, excepting Greenland, in North America ; 
migrating south in winter to about 40°.” 
Note. — Holbcell’s Redpoll {Acanfkis linaria holbwllii) is 
larger than the type, — length 5 to 5 inches, — with a propor- 
tionately larger bill. It is usually restricted to the northern coasts 
of Europe and Asia, but examples have been taken in Alaska and 
at Quebec. 
The Greater Redpoll {Acanthis linaria rostratd) is still 
larger, — length 5 ^ to 5 ^ inches, — and the colors are darker, with 
the under parts more broadly striped. It is found in southern 
Greenland in summer, and in winter migrates sparingly south to 
New England, and west to Manitoba and northern Illinois. 
