THE LESSER REDPOLE 229 



part of the field, or even precisely in the same place 

 from which they were flushed a minute or so before. 

 We have repeatedly noticed that a flock of Red- 

 poles will remain in a district during the entire 

 autumn and winter ; and this bird is not given to so 

 much erratic wandering as is generally supposed. 

 If weed-covered ground is plentiful the birds will 

 remain there. Their habits in the trees are very 

 similar to their actions upon the ground. In 

 November, when the alder trees are covered with 

 ripe seed-cones, the Redpole in flocks may be seen 

 exploring the branches, the entire company inces- 

 santly in motion, if disturbed rising into the air 

 together and shortly after re-alighting, it may be in 

 the same tree. The Redpole is also very frequently 

 seen along the hedges where a dense growth of 

 weeds is allowed to flourish by the slovenly farmer 

 (we would not have him change his ways, for 

 tidiness would lead to the banishment of many of 

 our favourite birds), the birds clinging to the nettle- 

 stems, or the tall dry stalks of docks and thistles, 

 scattering the husks on every side as the coveted 

 seeds are sought. On the approach of spring these 

 bands of Redpoles disperse to the breeding-places, 

 and the cock-birds resume their song. 



The song of the Lesser Redpole can neither be 

 described as a striking nor a very musical one. As 

 Seebohm says, truly enough, it is a song the charm 

 of which cannot be analyzed. We both of us lived 



