FRINGILLIDZ. 203 
Lesser Repprouez, Linota linaria. The Lesser 
Redpole is a rather more regular winter visitor than 
the Siskin, but still it is not-as regular in its visits 
as the generality of our migratory birds: it makes 
its appearance here generally in October,—the 8th of 
that month is the earliest note I have,—and stays 
with us till about the middle of March, when it 
retires northward to breed. It, however, partially, 
if not entirely, assumes its breeding-season dress 
before its departure. I have one in my collection 
killed here on the 7th of March, which has a beauti- 
ful bright pink}breast. Although, as far as I know, 
it does not breed in this county, it does so in many 
counties in England, notices of its nest having been 
found appearing from time to time in the pages of 
the ‘ Zoologist.’ 
The food of the Lesser Redpole, like that of the 
Siskin, which bird it much resembles in its general 
habits, consists of the seeds of the alder and the 
young buds of other trees, especially the birch; con- 
sequently when a large flock of Lesser Redpoles 
pitch into a plantation they do some considerable 
amount of damage: they also eat the seeds of 
various plants and weeds, such as the thistle and 
dandelion, the seeds of moss also, and in summer 
they vary their diet by the addition of insects to their 
list of food. 
The nest is said to be built in a bush, or 
low tree: it is made of moss and dry bents, 
