I20 



THE BIRDS OF ESSEX. 



Lesser Redpoll : Linota rtifescens. 



A resident in the north of England and Scotland, but best known 

 as a winter visitor to Essex, though individuals certainly sometimes 



remain and breed with 

 us. It appears not to 

 be so common in Essex 

 as formerly, for my late 

 father could recollect 

 that many years ago he 

 often used to take them 

 in the nets with Spar- 

 rows when roosting in 

 stacks of corn during 

 winter. 



Mr. Clarke says (24) that 

 about forty years ago it was 

 "seen occasionally in win- 

 ter" round Saffron Walden. 

 King says (20) it was then 

 " common " around Sudbury 

 — meaning presumably in 

 the winter-time. Henry 

 Doubleday, on September 

 24th, 1840, says (10) : 



" I do not know whether 

 we are likely to have a sharp 

 winter or not, but I see some birds from the north are arriving. I have seen 

 flocks of Redpolls for three weeks past. We do not often see them so early here." 

 Edward Doubleday includes it (15) in his Epping list, and IMr. Buxton gives 

 " Loughton Forest and Wanstead Flats " (47. 89). At Harwich, it is "common 

 during migration " (Kerry). Dr. Laver describes it as " common in winter in 

 both the Colchester and Paglesham districts," but he never knew it iDreed in 

 either. Mr. Hope says they are " caught near Upminster in large quantities in 

 the autumn and fetch 2d. each in London." He has also shot them in the spring. 

 As regards its breeding in the county, Mr. Travis records (44. i. Lxiii.) that on 

 June 27th, 1879, a boy named Rushforth took a nest out of some fir-trees by the 

 roadside close to Shortgrove Park, near Saffron Walden. It contained young 

 birds, which were brought to Mr. Travis, in whose possession one of them lived 

 for some time, and I often saw it at his house. Mr. Brewis of Chesterford Park 

 has known it breed on the Common there. I have specimens of its eggs which I 

 believe were taken near Chelmsford about the year 1869. Mr. Fitch finds the 

 nest, he tells me, almost yearly among the shrubby sea-blite on the east side of 

 Osey Island. Mr. Sackett informs me that on June 7th, 1887, he saw one at 

 Reeve's Shaw, a copse in Orsett parish. He has not the least doubt as to the 

 species, as he has kept this bird in captivity and knows its note well. It is com- 

 mon there in the autumn. 



In October, 1872, Mr. Staceyof Dunmow preserved a white variety shot at 

 Hatfield. 



LESSER REDPOLLS 



