228 OUR FAVOURITE SONG BIRDS 



The Lesser Redpole appears to be a resident in 

 our area, but like most Finches subject to a good 

 deal of internal migration according to season. No 

 migratory Redpoles appear to visit our islands in 

 autumn ; and at Heligoland (although it has on one 

 occasion been known to nest there) it is so exceed- 

 ingly rare that but two or three examples have been 

 obtained. The habits of the Lesser Redpole are 

 very similar to those of the Linnet, hi autumn and 

 winter we remark this species in flocks upon the 

 weed-grown pastures and waste grounds ; or even 

 more frequently perhaps amongst the birch and 

 alder trees that fringe the streams. This little Finch 

 not only frequents the ground in quest of food but 

 the trees as well, and in the latter situation is often 

 as agile and grotesque in the attitudes it assumes, as 

 the Tits which often consort with it. Like most 

 small birds the Lesser Redpole shows little fear of 

 man ; and whether upon the ground, or perched 

 upon the adjoining hedges and trees, it suffers a close 

 approach and observation of its ways. We have 

 often wandered literally into the middle of a flock 

 of Redpoles, on stubbles sown down with clover, 

 and stood and watched the engaging little creatures 

 almost at arm's-length searching everywhere for the 

 small seeds. If alarmed the flock has a way of 

 rising en masse, sometimes resorting at once to the 

 nearest hedge or tree, but frequently wheeling 

 round several times before settlino: ao-ain on another 



