258 



THE LESSER REDPOLE. 



turbed it betakes itself to tall trees, or to a distant field ; 

 but is not shy, and may therefore be easily approached 

 when feeding. In spring it forsakes its winter haunts and 

 disperses over the hilly tracts, where it forms its nest on the 

 ground, among short heath, or on the grassy slopes of 

 craggy spots. It is neatly constructed, being composed 

 externally of fibrous roots, wool, and hair. The eggs are 

 blueish white, marked towards the larger end with light 

 brown, and purplish red, sometimes with a few -blackish 

 dots.' 



LESSER REDPOLF. 



THE LESSER REDPOLE (Linaria minor). The smaller 

 Redpole Linnet is the most diminutive of our native Pas- 

 serine birds, its length being something short of five inches ; 

 it is a beautiful little creature, with a crimson top to its 

 head, velvety black throat, and carmine tinted breast and 

 rump ; the back and sides are yellowish brown ; the under 

 parts brownish white. With those who keep cage-birds, 

 this is a great favourite, on account of its liveliness and 

 affectionate disposition. Bechstein remarks that its personal 

 beauty is greater than its powers of song, for this is but a 

 soft and indifferently connected jingle. Wood says that 



In confinement it is easily preserved, and soon becomes tame and 

 familiar- One that I saw in London some years ago, would feed out 



