40 COMMON BRITISH BIRDS 



by approaching the place carefully, walking about 

 feeding, moving its tail in jerks, like its relative the 

 Moorhen, showing the white on the under tail-coverts. 



Nest. Among reeds and rushes, made of herbage. 



Eggs. Six or seven, creamy-white with reddish-brown 

 and grey spots. 



Haunts. Sides of streams and pools, especially where 

 there is thick cover of reeds or sedges. 



REDPOLE. (Resident in Scotland and North 

 of England, principally known as a winter 

 visitant in the southern half of England. 

 Finches.) 



Size. Much smaller than Sparrow. 



Colour. Male : forehead, space between bill and eye, 

 chin and throat, black, crown of head crimson, back 

 reddish-brown with black streaks, sides of throat, 

 breast, and rump crimson, the latter tinged with grey. 

 Wings and tail dusky, feathers edged pale brown, wing- 

 coverts tipped pale yellowish. Female : without the 

 red on breast and rump. In winter the male is not so 

 bright in colour. 



Note. The song rather resembles that of the Linnet, 

 as does also the call-note. 



Distinguishing Feature. The small size and red on 

 crown. In the Linnet the red is on the forehead. 



Nest. In bushes or hedges, moss, dried grass lined 

 with down. 



Eggs. Bluish-white, with red and purplish-brown 

 spots. 



Haunts. Often seen in small parties in the winter, 

 frequently in company with Siskins and Goldfinches 

 among clumps of alder and birch. 



REDSTART. (S.M. Thrushes.) 



Size. Sparrow. 



Colour. Forehead white, back grey, rump orange- 

 chestnut, tail same, excepting two central feathers, 

 which are brown, throat black, breast and sides of body 

 chestnut. 



Note. Simple song, not very varied. 



Distinguishing Feature. The plumage is rather a 

 striking combination of grey, black, and red, with the 



