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Range (Northern coasts of Europe)
"Northern coasts of Europe and Asia (Norway to Japan), and portions of Alaska"; casual in eastern North America. This is an intermediate between A. linaria and A. l. rostrata, most closely approaching the former, from which it sometimes can with difficulty be distinguished. It is an exceedingly rare, bird in eastern North America, where there are but two records of its occurrence: Quebec (Ridgway) and Massachusetts (Brewster). 528b. A. 1. rostrata (Coues). GREATER REDPOLL.-Similar to A. linaria, but larger, the margin to the feathers of the upper parts averaging darker, the bill shorter and stouter. L., 5.50; W., 3-20; T., 2.55; B., 35; depth of B. at base, 28.
FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC.
Range." Southern Greenland in summer, migrating south, in winter, through Labrador to (sparingly) the northern border of the United States (New England, lower Hudson Valley, northern Illinois, etc.), and west to Manitoba" (Ridgw.).
Sing Sing, A. V. Cambridge, irregular W. V., Nov. to Feb. "The Greater Redpoll is often rather common, and in February, 1883, it occurred along the seacoast near Boston in positive abundance. On the 19th of this month Mr. Spelman and I took thirteen specimens at Revere Beach in about two hours; and on the 22d, at Nantasket Beach, two young collectors, by a few random shots into an exceptionally large, mixed flock of Redpolls, secured forty specimens, of which six proved to be A. linaria and thirty-four rostrata. "As one sees them in winter in New England, the forms just mentioned, with A. hornemannii exilipes, do not differ appreciably in notes, habits, or general appearance. It is true that A. l. rostrata may be often recognized by its superior size, but the birds as a rule are so nervous and restless, and when in large flocks so constantly in motion and so likely to depart altogether at any moment, that a free use of the gun is ordinarily indispensable to positive identification" (Brewster, Minot's Land Birds and Game Birds, 2d ed., App., p. 472). 529. Spinus tristis (Linn.). AMERICAN GOLDFINCH: YELLOW- BIRD; THISTLE-BIRD. Ad. .-Crown-cap black; back and under parts bright yellow; wings black, the coverts and secondaries tipped with white; tail black, the feathers with white on their inner webs. Ad. q. - Upper parts grayish brown with an olive tinge; wings and tail as in the ♂, but somewhat more dusky and the white markings less distinct; under parts whitish, washed with buffy brown and more or less tinged with yellow, especially on the throat. Ad. & in winter.-Similar to the ad. 9, but with the wings and tail as in summer. L., 5·10; W., 2.82; T., 1.95; B., 40. Range.-Eastern North America; breeds from South Carolina to southern Labrador; winters from the northern United States to the Gulf. Washington, common P. R. Sing Sing, common P. R. Cambridge, very common P. R.
Nest, externally of fine grasses, strips of bark, and moss, thickly lined with thistle down, in trees or bushes, five to thirty feet up. Eggs, three to six, pale bluish white, 65 x 48.
Except when nesting, Goldfinches are generally found in small flocks. Few birds seem to enjoy life more than these merry rovers. Every month brings them a change of fare, and in pursuit of fresh dainties the nesting-time is delayed almost until summer begins to wane. Seed-bearing plants, whether in field or garden, form their larder; the old sunflowers rattle before their vigorous attack; the thistles spring into sudden blossom of black and gold as they swing from the nodding heads.
FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC.
Their flight is expressive of their joyous nature, and as they bound through the air they hum a gay Per - chic ree Per-chic o-ree Their love song is delivered with an ecstasy and abandon which carries them off their feet, and they circle over the fields sowing the air with music. The song has a canarylike character, and while it is less varied it possesses a wild, ringing quality wanting in the cage-bound bird's best efforts.
The BLACK-HEADED GOLDFINCH (532. Spinus notatus), a Mexican species, is recorded by Audubon from Kentucky, where its occurrence is, of course, purely accidental. 533. Spinus pinus (Wils.). PINE SISKIN; PINE FINCH. Ad.-Bill sharply pointed, a small tuft of bristly feathers over the nostrils; upper parts streaked with black, the feathers margined with buffy; wings fuscous, most of the feathers margined with yellow, and yellow at the base; tail fuscous, all but the middle feathers yellow at the base; under parts white, tinged with buffy and heavily streaked with black. L., 5.00; W., 2·76; T., 1.90; B., 40.