THE LESSER REDPOLL 99 
to the commons and heaths, which afforded them night-lodging dur- 
ing winter. Here they build their nests at a moderate distance 
from the ground, more frequently in a furze-bush than anywhere 
else, but occasionally in other shrubs or an adjoining hedge. The 
nest is constructed of small twigs, moss, roots, and wool; and 
is lined with hair, feathers, and sometimes vegetable down. The 
Linnet lays four or five eggs. The spring and summer song of the 
Linnet is remarkable neither for compass nor power ; it is, however, 
very sweet, and on this account the Linnet is a favourite cage- 
bird. 
THE MEALY REDPOLL 
ACANTHIS LINARIA 
Throat and lore black ; forehead and crown blood-red ; breast and rump rose- 
red; under parts white; nape reddish white, with dusky streaks; 
shoulders and back with dark streaks, edged with white; quills and tail 
feathers greyish brown, edged with white. Length five and a half inches. 
A NORTHERN species of Linnet, closely resembling the Lesser Red- 
poll, but larger. It visits Great Britain only in the winter and 
at irregular intervals, being in some seasons tolerably abundant, 
and in others not seen at all. Little appears to be known of its 
habits. 
THE LESSER REDPOLL 
ACANTHIS RUFESCENS 
Forehead, throat, and lore black; crown deep crimson; under parts light 
crimson tinged with buff, fading towards the tail into white ; upper parts 
reddish brown, with dusky streaks ; wings and tail dusky, edged with 
pale reddish brown. Female—all the colours less bright. Length five 
and a quarter inches. Eggs bluish white, speckled at the larger end 
with reddish brown. 
Tue Lesser Redpoll so closely resembles the Siskin in its habits 
and temperament, that a description of either of these birds would 
serve well for the other. Like that bird it congregates in small 
flocks; it frequents damp valleys where alder-trees abound; it 
feeds on the seeds of the same trees; like it, hangs at the extremities 
of the twigs to explore the catkins, twitters merrily as it flies, and 
is quite as easily reconciled to captivity. But for the yellow 
plumage and larger size of the Siskin, they might well be mistaken 
one for the other. The Redpoll, however, is a much more frequent 
bird, as its annual visits to the southern counties of England in 
winter are as regular as those of Swallows in summer. Though a 
northern bird, it does not unexceptionally repair to high latitudes, 
but in summer remains to breed in Scotland and the northern 
counties of England. As far south as Yorkshire it is not unfrequent, 
