LESSEE. EEDPOLE — LIISTNET. 95 



in the summer of 1885, which he believed were breeding-. 

 The Oxford Parks abound in birch and various other trees 

 which are attractive to this species. In the north of the 

 county the nest of the Redpole has not been discovered, but 

 a female was shot at Bloxham Grove on the 14th April, 1887. 

 In autumn the mig-ratory Redpoles arrive in October, and are 

 not at all uncommon on the banks of streams where the alder 

 abounds. 



The large lig-ht-coloured race of Redpoles has occurred in 

 Oxfordshire, and some were in the hands of an Oxford bird- 

 dealer in the winters of 1879-80 and 1880-81 (H. A. Mac- 

 pherson in lit.). 



[The Mealy Redpole {Llnota linaria) has not, as far as I 

 am aware, been procured in this county.] 



THE LINWET. 



Linota cannahma. 



The Linnet is a common resident, a certain number breed- 

 ing- generally all over the county in hedgerows, and especially 

 where furze bushes abound. In the breeding season, however, 

 it is only in the wilder portions of the county that it is found 

 in any numbers. On the slopes of the Chilterns, Shotover 

 Hill, and similar situations, it is abundant, and on Wigginton 

 Heath, when the broom is one mass of golden blossom, the 

 Linnet is a characteristic feature, its sweet twittering song 

 being heard all around. In autumn and winter the Linnets 

 descend to lower ground, and flock with other small bii'ds 

 in the fields, and at that season they probably receive additions 

 to their numbers from more northern localities, as considerable 

 flocks of this species alone are sometimes seen. The Linnet 

 is known as the ' rose,' ' brown,' or ' grey ' Linnet, according 

 to sex, and the plumage worn at different times of the year. 

 Those old males in which the red on the breast and head is of 

 a brilliant carmine tint, are seldom met with. 



[The Twite {Linota fiaviostris) is included in the History of 



