LESSER REDPOLE. 47 



it confines itself to the hedges in the fields ; in others 

 to small plantations and birch coppices. Frequently it 

 has its haunt by the side of a mountain or moorland 

 stream, amongst the alders and birches, and masses of 

 bramble, or selects some quiet thicket in the more open 

 woods or on commons. The flocks of Lesser Redpoles 

 disband in spring, and each pair betake themselves to a 

 favourite spot to nest. This Redpole pairs annually, 

 and although the same nest is never revisited I have 

 remarked considerable attachment to certain spots. 

 The nest is generally built at no great height from the 

 ground in a crotch in the hedge or sapling fir tree ; at 

 other times, however, it may be seen at heights of from 

 twenty to fifty feet amongst the branches of tall trees. 

 I have noticed the special partiality of this bird for an 

 elevated site in an elm tree. The nests vary a good 

 deal in size and quality of workmanship ; the most 

 exquisite examples I have ever seen being made in low 

 whitethorn hedges. The external materials consist of 

 slender twigs, roots, moss, and dry grass, and the lining 

 consists of feathers, vegetable down, hair, and, less 

 frequently, wool. The nest is cup-shaped, deep and 

 round, and the cup is very smooth and neatly finished. 

 The female sits closely, and seldom evinces much 

 anxiety for her eggs. 



Range of egg colouration and measurement : 

 The eggs of the Lesser Redpole are from four to six 

 in number, five being the average clutch. They are 

 greenish-blue in ground colour, spotted and speckled 

 with purplish-brown, and sometimes streaked with dark 

 brown. The underlying markings are pale brown or 

 gray. Most of the markings are on the larger end of 

 the ^%%. Average measurement, '6^ inch in length, by 

 •48 inch in breadth. Incubation, performed chiefly by 

 the female, lasts fourteen days. 



