531 
ECONOMIC RELATIONS OF OUR BIRDS. 
Seeds of poplar and button-wood and of many rank weeds, the blossoms of 
the elm and the stamens of the cherry and apple blossoms (Wilsonj. Buds 
and berries of evergreens in winter, in summer, insects (De Kay). Buds of 
trees, insects, and the tender parts of spiaice cones (Audubon). Seeds, beiiies 
and buds (Cooi^er). 
80. Loxia curvirostra Americana (Wils.), Coues. AMERICAN RED 
CROSSBILL. Group II. Class a. 
During October and November of 1877 this species was veiy abundant all 
along the Flambeau river. They associated in flocks of considerable size and 
frequented the tops of the tallest trees. Occasionally small troops came dov n 
among the willows and alders along the banks of the streams. About the log¬ 
ging camps they are very familiar, often venturing in-doors when left open. 
In midsummer of 1868 the Crossbills appeared in great numbers in Western 
Maine, and there proved very destructive to the oats, disappearing again as soon 
as the harvest was over. 
Food: Seeds of the white pine and of various plants. 
Seeds of coniferous trees, other small seeds, and sometimes buds of trees 
(Cooper). Seeds of pines and firs, (Audubonj. Seeds of pines, birches, etc. 
(T. M. Trippe). Seeds of coniferae and other seeds (Brewer). Seeds of sun¬ 
flower (Hoy). 
81. Loxia leucoptera, Gm. WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL. Group II. 
Class a. 
This species, like the last, is probably a regulai’ winter resident in Northern 
Wisconsin, but appears to be much less abundcUit, It scuds about in small 
troops, accompanied by a few of the Red Crossbills, and is also familial about 
logging camps, where it comes for crumbs. 
Food: Seeds and crumbs gleaned about dwellings. 
Seeds of white sj)ruce (Richardson). Canker-worm (Maynard). 
82. .iEGiOTHUS LiNARiA (LiNN. ), Cab. RED-POLL LINNET. Group I. 
Class b. 
This familiar boreal species is an abundant winter resident, and while here it 
moves about the fields and pastures in flocks, gathering such seeds as it may find 
above the snow. Mr. Trippe states that, in Minnesota, the Lesser Red-poll ap¬ 
pears in vast numbers, about the middle of October, and remauis during the 
entire winter. 
Food: Seeds of the common alder (Wilson)., Seeds of various trees, as j)iu9, 
birch, linden and alder (Cooper). Seeds of grasses, and of pine, also berries and 
buds (De Kay). Weed and grass seeds, and seeds of white birch (Samuels). 
Seeds of birch and pine, sometimes fruit-buds (Nuttall). Seeds of biich and 
alder. It also eats the buds of trees, and (when in flocks) proves in this way 
seriously injurious to young plantations (Selby, Brit. Birds). A maimed speci¬ 
men which Dr. Kirtland kept in his greenhouse fed upon the aphidse that 
infested his pelargoniums. 
83. uEgiothus exilipes, Coues. AMERICAN MEALY RED-POLL. Group 
II. Class a. 
Tliis species enjoys a more northern habitat than the last, and is resident in 
Greenland. It is said to enter the United States in winter, passing as far south 
as Mount Carroll, Illinois. 
