_Acanthis linaria linaria. Case 2. Figs. 47, 48_
Any little sparrow-like bird with a red cap is a
Redpoll. Adult males have the breast also red. L.
5-1/2.
_Range._ Nests in Canada and Alaska; winters
irregularly south ward to Ohio and Virginia.
Washington, very rare and irregular W.V. Ossining,
regular W.V., Nov. 25-Mch. 26. Cambridge,
irregular W.V., often very abundant, Oct. 25-Apl.
10. N. Ohio, rare W.V. Glen Ellyn, irregular W.V.,
Nov. 6-Mch. 7. SE. Minn., common W.V., Oct.
31-Apl. 7.
A winter visitor from the far North whose coming never can be foretold.
Years may pass without seeing them, then late some fall, they may appear
in numbers. They are usually in flocks and feed upon seeds as well as
birch and alder catkins. In notes and general habits the Redpoll
resembles the Goldfinch.
Holboell's Redpoll (_A. holboelli_) is a slightly larger race, with
a longer, more slender bill. It is a more northern form than the
preceding, and rarely visits the United States. The Greater Redpoll (_A.
l. rostrata_) is also larger than the common Redpoll, but has a shorter,
stouter bill. It nests in Greenland and is of casual occurrence in the
northern United States. The Hoary Redpoll (_A. hornemanni exilipes_) is
a whiter bird than the preceding with no streaks on the rump and
comparatively few on the underparts. It nests within the Arctic Circle
and rarely visits the northern United States in winter.
Satisfactory identification of these races of the Redpoll can be made
only by expert examination of specimens. The field student, however, may
call any Redpoll he sees the Common Redpoll with the chances of being
right largely in his favor.