190 THE SMALLER UllITISH BIRDS. 



together, that it is recorded that upwards of one hundred and forty 

 were on one occasion killed at a single shot. 



The flifTht of this bird is light, ^'apid, and undulatingj Macgillivray 

 says, "the flocks glide and wheel, the individuals crossing the direction 

 of each other, in a very beautiful manner." On the ground it advances 

 by short leaps, in a quick and sprightly manner. 



The song of the Linnet is soft, mellow, varied, and sweet. 



The length of the adult male is about five inches and three quarters. 

 During the spring he appears in his brightest colours. The forehead 

 and breast are then of a beautiful crimson. The rest of the head, 

 nock, and sides of the throat are grey. The back and wing coverts 

 are rich chesnut brown, and the tail feathers and quills black, with 

 naiTOW white edges. The under part of the body is pale wood brown. 

 The bill bluish grey, and the feet dull brown. During the autumn 

 and winter the bright red on the head and breast is replaced by dark 

 brown. The female is a little smaller than the male, and of a lighter 

 colour. 



THE REDTOLE, 



(Linaria minor.) 

 PLATE XII. — noaRK III. 



This elegant little bird, also called the Lesser Redpole and the 

 Smaller Redpole Linnet, is the smallest British member of the Passerine 

 family, being rather less than five inches in total length. It remains 

 throughout the year iu Scotland, Ireland, and the north of England, 

 but is frequently met with iu the south during the winter. On the 

 continent of Europe it inhabits Norway, Sweden, Siberia, and other 

 northern countries, aud is a winter migrant to the southern parts. 



Like the Common Linnet, the Redpole has the forehead and breast 

 bright crimson during the breeding-season. The general colour of the 

 upper parts is yellowish brown, streaked with blackish brown. The 

 wings and tail are dusky brown, edged with pale yellowish brown, the 

 former crossed by two bands of the same. The under surface of the 

 body is whitish. 



In Scotland, the Redpolo is said to breed iu the hilly districts, 

 among the brushwood that skirts the Hanks of iho mountains or 



