LESSER REDPOLL {Linota rufescens). 

 Local names : Grey Bob, Jitty. 

 A resident, common in the lowlands of tlie northern counties. 

 It feeds on the seeds of the thistle, groundsel, dandelion and other 

 ■composite plants. The nest, which is usually built in a low tree or 

 bush in some sheltered position, is very beautifully made. It is formed 

 outwardly of a few fine twigs as a foundation, with dry grass stems, 

 intermixed with moss and wool and lined with vegetable down, the 

 whole structure being very neat and compact. The eggs are very 

 small and are four to six in number (see British Bird Egg Cabinet, 

 drawer 4). Two broods are frequently reared in a season. 



Case 114. 



TWITE {Lmota flavirostris). 

 Local name : Moor Linnet. 

 A resident species frequenting heaths and moors, but during the 

 \vinter months it leaves the higher ground and may be seen in flocks 

 near the sea coast. The food consists mainly of seeds and in this, as 

 in flight, general habits and appearance, it much resembles the Linnet . 

 The nest, made of twigs and roots, lined with wool and feathers, is 

 usually placed among heather or in a low bush, and often on the ground. 

 Four to six eggs, of pale greenish blue, blotched with reddish-brown 

 (see British Bird Egg Cabinet, drawer 5) are laid towards the end of 

 May. It is, however, easily distinguished from the Linnet, by its 

 yellow beak. 



Case 115. 



LINNET {Linota cannabina). 

 Local names : Brown Linnet, Gorse Finch. 

 A resident and common species throughout the country, frequenting 

 whin-covered moors, and gorse fields not far from the sea, but its 

 numbers are affected by the professional bird-catchers. The food 

 consists mainly of seeds. The nest is generally placed in gorse or low 

 bushes, and the eggs, four to six in number, are laid at the end of April 

 or beginning of May, and are french white in colour, more or less tinged 

 with green or blue and generally spotted or blotched with reddish- 

 brown and purplish-red (see British Bird Egg Cabinet, drawer 4). A 

 second brood h often reared later in the season. 



Case 116. 



GOLD-FINCH {Carduelis elegans). 



Generally distributed in the British Islands throughout the summer 

 months, but far less numerous than formerly, due to insufficient pro- 

 tection from bird-catchers. Mostly migratory, leaving in October and 



