THE BIRDS OF CUMBERLAND. 47 



on the roofs of buildings. Many of them nightly 

 roosted in the willow scrub of one ''station," also 

 much frequented by the young of the northern 

 Bluethroat Warbler. 



L. Rufescens. Lesser Redpoll. 



The Lesser Redpoll is a numerous but local 

 resident, breeding sparsely in the south of the county, 

 but most strongly established in the north of Cum- 

 berland, from Bowness-on-Solway to Brampton, at 

 the base of the east fells. A variety of trees and 

 shrubs are selected in turn to contain the nest, in- 

 cluding alder, hazel, crab, birch, and willow. We 

 have seen five nests at once in a single hawthorn 

 hedge on the edge of Kingmoor. The height from 

 the ground at which the nest is placed varies from 

 four to twenty feet. The composition of the nest 

 also varies, the exterior generally consisting of moss 

 and dried grass, with a lining of beautiful satin-like 

 down from the catkin of the willow. We lately 

 examined nests composed of dead fir twigs, and 

 others built of hawthorn and birch twigs. A lining 

 of fine grass and hairs, with a few feathers, is often 

 substituted for that of the catkin down. The most 

 aberrant nest that has come under our notice was 

 built entirely of cotton waste, and was situated in 

 close proximity to the Caledonian Railway engine 

 sheds, whence the birds must have procured the 

 material. 



The first eggs are usually laid early in May, but 

 we have found fresh eggs in July. 



Whilst nest-building is in progress, the Lesser 

 Redpoll is gregarious, and we have watched a female 



