LESSER REDPOLL 



567 



In Greenland the group is represented by Linoia liuaria rostrata, 

 which apparently only differs from the last by the more pronounced 

 streaks on the lower surface, and is best regarded as a local race. 

 A single specimen of this redpoll was recorded from Barra, Outer 

 Hebrides, in 1896, a second two years later, and a third in 1900, 

 while others have since been reported from Fair Isle. 



With regard to the alleged relatively larger size of the beak in the 

 last two forms as compared with the typical redpoll, it should be 

 observed that this, at best, is a character of no very great importance, 

 since it is well known that in all redpolls this appendage is longer in 

 summer than in winter, when it becomes worn down by hard food. 



Of another redpoll {L. Jionicmanni) five specimens were obtained 

 in Fair Isle in 1905 ; while the species has been taken in Yorkshire at 

 an earlier date, some of the specimens being, perhaps, referable to the 

 American L. Jiorjienianni exilipes. 



Lesser RednoU Although in that invaluable work, the British 

 (Linota rufeseens') Museum Catalogue of Birds, the lesser redpoll is 



classed as a race 

 of the ordinary species, it is more 

 generally regarded as a distinct 

 species (whose alternative titles are 

 Liuaria riifescens, Acanthis riifescens, 

 and Cannabina rufescens), and it is 

 accordingly so ranked in the present 

 work. It is the smallest of the 

 British finches, measuring only 

 about 5^ inches in length ; the cock 

 in spring being characterised by the 

 carmine (not blood-red) forehead 

 and breast, and a brownish-buff 

 wing-bar. In this sex the sides of 

 the face, the loins, and the outer 

 webs of the lateral tail-feathers 

 show a carmine tinge, the rest of 

 the upper-parts and the flanks are 

 wood-brown streaked with darker brown, the throat and a patch in front 

 of the eye are black, and the abdomen is white. Grey edges to the 

 feathers veil the carmine for some time after the autumnal moult. 

 This brilliant tint is restricted in the hen to the forehead, and is 

 altogether absent in young birds. 



LESSKK KEDl'OLL. 



