72 BIRDS OF LANCASHIRE. 



named place Mr. Hugh P. Hornby says it roosts in 

 winter in the rhododendron-bushes in large flocks. Mr. 

 Henry Miller has found this species moderately dis- 

 tributed over the Fylde, and thinks its numbers a little 

 increased lately, though far fewer now altogether than was 

 the case twenty years ago : the raids of the bird-catchers 

 have much to do with this greater rarity. In Furness 

 Mr. W. A. Durnford says it is far more numerous at the 

 migratory season than any other, but is always resident. 

 The large flocks which are seen in winter are almost 

 entirely composed of Linnets, though sometimes with a 

 slight admixture of Twites and other allied species, and 

 Mr. Hardy remarks that they are all very partial to 

 the seeds of various species of Polygonum, especially 

 P. avicularc, but the seeds of some Labiates {Stachys for 

 example) will cause them to visit one place frequently, 

 even in the face of danger. The eggs are laid late in 

 April or early in May, and are four to six in number, 

 generally five. 



LESSEE EEDPOLL. 



LiNOTA RUFESCENs (Yieillot). 



Local Names — Jittie, Grey Boh, Chhvy. 



Eesident, and breeding regularly ; but, like the Linnet, 

 more generally distributed in winter, and being seen 

 then in small flocks almost everywhere, usually unmixed 

 with other species. It breeds in small quantities in 

 most parts of the southern division of the county, 

 becoming more numerous going north, and in the valley 

 of the Eibble from Preston upwards, and also in that of 

 the Hodder it is plentiful. Further north still, in the 



