ROBIN AND LESSER REDPOLL 



87 



REDBREAST (Erithacus rubecula) 



Local Names. — Bobbie, Bob or Bobrobin, Brow-Rhuddyn (Welsh), 

 Robin, Robin Redbreast, Robinet, Ruddock, Tommi-Liden. 



Haunt. — Woods, lanes, commons, gardens, etc. 



Nesting Period. — March to July, or later. 



Site of Nest. — Hedge-banks, among ivy, in old cans, outhouses, etc. 



Materials Used. — Moss, dead leaves, stalks of plants, with a neat 

 lining of roots, wool, or hair. 



Eggs. — Five or Six. White, freckled with light brown or red. 



Food. — Worms, earwigs, butterflies, larvae, spiders, daddy-long-legs, 

 and scraps in Winter. 



Voice. — A sweet but somewhat melancholy song. Also a curious 

 " clicking " note, like " tit-tit-tit " (metallic), reminding one 

 of the unwinding of a fisherman's reel. A weeping, monotonous 

 note is uttered when nest is visited, and a curious hissing noise 

 is made by the young when being fed. 



Chief Features. — Probably the best-known and best-loved bird in 

 the world. Very conscious of protection, and fond of com- 

 panionship of mankind. The male and female are almost alike, 

 but the young are spotted like young Thrushes until they 

 acquire their well-known adult dress. 



Plumage. — The plumage above is olive-brown; red forehead and 

 breast, with grey edges; white belly. A great deal of error 

 exists as to the female bird. It is a little smaller than the 

 male, and is not attired so gaudily, otherwise 

 the same. Length. — Five inches and three- 

 quarters. 



REDPOLL, LESSER (Linola rufescens) 



Local Names. — Chevvy Linnet, French Linnet, 

 Lesser Red-Headed Finch, Lesser Redpole 

 Linnet, Little Redpole Linnet, Pea Linnet, 

 Redpole, Rose Linnet, Stone Redpole, Tweed. 



Haunt. — Woods and plantations. Very fond of 

 birch woods. 



Nesting Period. — May and June. 



Site of Nest. — Hedges, bushes, and trees, especi- 

 ally firs. 



Materials Used. — Small twigs, dry grass, and moss 

 outside, lined with vegetable down, or wool 

 and feathers. 



Eggs. — Four or Five. Pale bluish-green, spotted with orange- 

 brown or reddish. 



Lesser 

 Redpoll. 



