FRINGILLINi^. 



191 



THE LESSER REDPOLL. 



LiNOTA RUF^scENS (Vieillot). 



The Lesser Redpoll, the smallest of our British Finches, may be 

 distinguished from the preceding by its size, and by its darker and 

 more rufous colouring. Throughout the greater portion of the year 

 it is generally distributed over the British Islands, and large numbers 

 are taken by bird-catchers from autumn to spring ; but in the 

 breeding-season it is rather local. Its distribution at that time in 

 Scotland appears to be somewhat dependent upon woods and 

 plantations, and is consequently irregular, extending to the Orkneys 

 and to the Inner Hebrides, but not to the Outer group ; though 

 in winter the bird is generally dispersed and partially migratory. In 

 Wales and England it nests, more or less commonly, in and north of 

 Brecon, Worcestershire, Shropshire, Leicestershire and Norfolk ; 

 locally in Suffolk, Northamptonshire and Cambridgeshire ; sparingly 

 in Gloucestershire and along the upper parts of the Thames valley ; 

 and more frequently than is generally supposed in the counties of 

 Middlesex, Surrey and Kent, even in the vicinity of London. In 

 Hants, Wilts, Dorset and Devon, it is a very local breeder, and in 

 the extreme south-west it is rare at any time ; while it has never 

 been obtained on migration from any of the light-ships on the east 

 coast of England. It nests commonly in many parts of Ireland, 

 and large flocks are sometimes seen in winter. 



