58 A PRACTICAL HANDBOOK OF BRITISH BIRDS. 



dark upper-parts and buff chin are also distinctive. Tail longer 

 in proportion than Linnet's or Lesser Redpoll's, and never any 

 crimson on fore-head or breast, though rump in male — displayed 

 in courtship — is rose-red. After autumn-moult general coloration 

 mealy-bro\An, but in flight white margins of greater coverts and 

 inner primaries are conspicuous. In nesting-season affects open 

 moorlands, in autumn flocks in pastures, feeding on seeds of 

 knapweed and kindred plants ; higher ground deserted in winter 

 and region of coasts much resorted to. Usual call-note, long- 

 drawn " deck " ; flocks, when feeding or changing ground, maintain 

 continuous twitter. 



Breeding-habits. — Haunts moorlands and wind-swept islands. 

 Breeds almost in colonies, nests being at no great distance apart. 

 Frequently close to or actually on ground, sometimes under 

 shelter of upturned sod, sometimes among ivy or creepers on 

 walls and rocks, in bushes in gardens, long heather, young corn, 

 stone-heaps, rabbit-holes, etc. Nest. — Grasses, stalks, etc., Avith 

 few twigs and some moss, lined hair and wool and sometimes a 

 few feathers. Eggs. — Usually 5-6, sometimes 7, not unlike 

 Linnet's, but bluer and with more decided markings, which are 

 generally a few bold streaks and spots of very dark red- 

 brown. White eggs have been recorded. Average of 100 eggs 

 16.9 X 12.6 mm. Breeding-season. — Latter half May and early 

 June : in Ireland rather earlier, but fresh eggs have been found 

 as late as August. Incubation-period. — Not exactly known, but 

 about a fortnight, and share of sexes unknown. Usually two broods. 



Food. — ^Mainly seeds, grain when available and young turnips in 

 Shetlands ; also insects. 



Distribution. — England and Wales. — Resident. Breeds very 

 locally most moorlands from east Cheshire, north Staffs., north 

 Derby., and west Yorks. northwards, and in Lanes, at lower levels. 

 Has bred Isle of Man. Forsakes high ground in winter. Small 

 colony reported nesting north Devon 1904, but othenvise only known 

 as somewhat uncertain winter-visitor to south, though in some 

 years plentiful on parts of south coast. Very rare visitor Cornwall. 

 Suspected of nesting in north Wales. Scotland. — Much more 

 common and general than in England, especially on west coast 

 and Hebrides, Orkneys, and Shetlands. In south-west and on 

 lower ground on east side scarce as nester. Ireland. — Breeds all 

 counties except those of central Plain. 



Migrations. — British Isles. — The coasts are resorted to in winter 

 by inland breeding-birds ; but migrants, possibly from oversea, 

 arrive east coast Oct. and return March. In Ireland an autumn- 

 immigration has been noted on north and west coasts. 



Distribution. — Abroad. — North Norway, Lapland, and north 



