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THE LESSER REDPOLL. 

 AcAXTHis KUFKSCENs (V'ieillot). 



The Lesser Redpoll, the smallest of our British Finches, may be 

 distinguished from the preceding by its size, and by its darker and 

 more rufous colouring. Throughout the greater portion of the year 

 it is generally distributed over the British Islands, and large numbers 

 are taken by bird-catchers from autumn to spring ; but in the breeding- 

 season it is rather local. Its distribution at that time in Scotland 

 appears to be somewhat dependent upon woods and })lantations, and 

 is consequently irregular, nor does it extend to the Outer Hebrides ; 

 but in winter the bird is generally dispersed and partially migratory. 

 In P^ngland it nests, more or less commonly, north of a line drawn 

 through Shropshire, Leicestershire and Norfolk ; locally in Suffolk and 

 Cambridgeshire ; sparingly in Gloucestershire and along the upper 

 part of the Thames valley ; and more frequently than is generally 

 supposed in the counties of Middlese.x, Surrey and Kent, in the 

 immediate vicinity and even in the suburbs of London. In Hants, 

 Wilts, Dorset and Devon, it is a very local breeder, and in the ex- 

 treme south-west it is rare at any time. Mr. Booth says that he 

 has never obtained it on migration from any of the light-ships on 

 the east coast of England. It nests commonly in many parts of 

 Ireland, and large flocks are sometimes seen in winter. 



On the Continent the Lesser Redpoll is unknown to the north of 



