32 



BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



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The Lesser Redpole {Linota riifescens, Vieillot) is a 

 common species in the British Isles during winter, but is 

 locally distributed in summer. It is also found in the more 

 northern portions of both hemispheres, nesting mostly in 

 regions where birch trees abound, and in winter straying 

 southward. The adult male in spring plumage has the 

 throat and lores black; crown and forehead, deep crimson; 

 upper parts, dark warm brown ; rump, pink ; wing bands, 

 rufous buff; breast, carmine red; remainder of plumage 

 closely resembles that of the mealy redpole {Linota 

 lina7'id) ; irides, brown ; bill, brownish horn colour ; base 

 beneath, yellowish ; legs, dark brown. Length, about four 

 inches. The female, as a rule, has no red on the rump or 

 breast. 



