192 LESSER REDPOLL. 



On the Continent the Lesser Redpoll is unknown to the north of 

 the Baltic, but it visits Heligoland (where a pair nested in 1872), 

 Western Germany, Holland, Belgium, and France down to the 

 Pyrenees. Bailly stated long ago that it bred in Savoy ; Mr. S. B. 

 Wilson says that he found it nesting on the Engstlen Alp (6,100 

 feet) as well as in other parts of Switzerland ; and Professor Giglioli 

 maintains that it breeds on the Italian side ; while even Dr. 

 Stejneger admits ('Auk' 1887, p. 144) that examples from the 

 Austrian Alps are practically identical with British specimens. There 

 are, however, some ornithologists who question the identification. In 

 severe w-inters our bird extends its migrations to the south of Spain. 



In the southern half of England the nest is often built in April, 

 but nearly a month later in the north. The situation selected varies 

 a good deal ; in Norfolk, for instance, a small fruit-tree is often 

 chosen, while a good many pairs may be found breeding in low 

 alders and willows, down in the marshes ; again, small plantations 

 of conifers, shrubberies, and hazel are much frequented. Fine 

 twigs and grass stems, with a little moss and wool, are the 

 materials employed for the exterior of the nest, the inside being 

 beautifully lined with vegetable-down (principally from the catkins 

 of the willow), hair and feathers. The 4-6 eggs are pale blue, 

 spotted with reddish-brown : measurements "63 by '48 in. Two 

 broods are usually produced in the season, and unfledged young 

 have been found in the nest as late as September 14th. In autumn 

 the various family parties unite to form large flocks, and rove about 

 in search of food, which consists mainly of seeds. At all times of 

 the year the Lesser Redpoll is a tame and confiding bird, allowing 

 a near approach ; and it is also sociable, being frequently found in 

 the company of Siskins and other species. The usual note is a con- 

 tinuous twitter, but the love-song of the male is rather loud and clear. 



The adult male in spring has the lores and throat black, forehead 

 and crown blood-red ; upper parts of a darker and warmer colour 

 than in the Mealy Redpoll — especially the pink-tinted rump, while 

 the bands on the wings are rufous-buff, not white ; breast carmine- 

 red ; plumage otherwise as in the Mealy Redpoll, and colour of soft 

 parts the same ; but the dimensions less, our bird measuring only 

 475 in., and wing 275 in. After the autumn moult the red tints 

 are generally less brilliant, owing to the pale edges of the new 

 feathers; but I have seen old males with plenty of crimson in 

 October. The female is smaller than the male, and has no red on 

 the rump or breast, but only on the forehead ; while the young bird 

 is even duller in colour, inasmuch as it has no red on the head. 



