246 EGGS OF BRITISH BIRDS. 



THE LESSER EEDPOLE. 

 {Fringilla rufescens.)* 



Plate 57, Fig. 5. 



The Lesser Redpole is a winter visitor to most parts of England, 

 but breeds more or less commonly to the north of Norfolk and 

 Leicestershire. It nests in the Italian and Styrian Alps, but in 

 other parts of Western Europe it is principally known as a winter 

 visitor, though it has also been found breeding in Holland, 

 Belgium, and the Rhine provinces. 



As a rule, the nest is placed in low bushes, but I have also 

 found it at a height of from fifteen to twenty feet above the 

 ground. The nest has a few slender twigs for the foundation, 

 and is built up of dry grass-stalks and a little moss, profusely 

 lined with the down from the cotton-grass, or from willow-catkins, 

 or, if these materials are not obtainable, with feathers, hair, or 

 wool. The lining is generally interwoven with the sides of the 

 nest, and can scarcely be matched for delicacy and beauty. 



The eggs are from three to six in number, and vary from 0"65 

 to 06 inch in length, and from 0"5 to 0'42 inch in diameter. The 

 ground-colour varies from bluish-green to greenish-blue. The 

 overlying specks, spots and blotches, principally at the large end 

 of the egg, are dark reddish-brown, and the underlying ones are 

 pale reddish-brown. 



THE MEALY REDPOLE. 

 (Fringilla linaria.) t 



Plate 57, Figs. (1, 7. 



The Mealy Redpole is only known as a winter visitor to Great 

 Britain. It inhabits Northern Europe and Siberia as well as 

 North America. 



In its nesting habits it resembles the Lesser Redpole. The 

 eggs also are similar to those of the latter bird, but are slightly 

 larger, and are occasionally more streaked. 



Two other races of the Mealy Redpole, F. exilipes and F. liol- 

 boelli, have also occurred in England. 



* Acanthis rufescens — Saunders, Manual, p. 183. Cannabina rufescens — Sharpe, 

 Handb., I., p. 47. 



f Acanthis linaria — Saunders, Manual, p. 181. Cannabina linaria — Sharpe, 

 Handb., I., p, 45. 



