Nature Neighbors (Volume 4); Embracing Birds, Plants, Animals, Minerals, in Natural Colors by Color Photography Containing Articles

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1914. Excerpt: ... REDPOLL The Redpoll might properly be called the American linnet. In general habits and appearance these birds resemble little sparrows, but they have the distinctive undulating flight possessed by the goldfinch, and a little call note which accompanies each downward swoop. Like the Bohemian waxwings and American crossbill, their summer home is in the fur countries, but occasionally they have been known to appear in the northern portions of New England. During severe winters they may be observed about the Great Lakes region of Illinois and Indiana, about the same time we look for the hardy pine grosbeak or jolly snowflake and the wary raven. Their appearance in the Central States is unquestionably due to the scarcity of food in more northerly latitudes. They are familiar birds, and resort to our gardens and orchards to feed on grass and weed seed. Easily tamed, they make interesting pets. The eggs of this species found in collections, like those of the snowflake, usually come from Iceland. I have four eggs which were taken from a nest of grass and moss, lined with hair and feathers. GOLDFINCH The names Goldfinch and Wild Canary are applied indiscriminately by the casual observer to a score of different birds when some yellow warbler chances in the path of an inexperienced but enthusiastic bird admirer. In the United States, our true goldfinch, or wild canary, remains with us throughout the year, and is known in various phases of plumage according to the season. The flight and flight note betray these birds after the fall molting, when they have left off the bright colors. The charming ways of a devoted pair of these hardy creatures should render them easy of identification at all times. Few farm orchards or thistle patches are without a pair of these litt...