71 



The nest is composed of moss and bents interwoven 

 with wool, and lined with wool and hair. 



The female lays eggs of a pale green-colour, 

 spotted with rusty. 



8. LINARIA. LESSER RED POLE. 



F.fusco griseoque varia, subtus albo rufescens, fascia 

 alarum duplici albida, vertice pectoreque rubris 

 Shaw. 



The bill is pale brown ; irides hazel ; the forehead 

 and breast are rosy-red ; the back is dusky edged 

 with pale brown ; two white bars cross the wings ; 

 the belly and thighs are dull white ; the tail is dusky 

 edged with dirty white, and forked; the legs are 

 dusky. 



The female wants the red on the forehead and 

 breast ; the former of which is sometimes yellowish. 



The nest is formed of dried grass and wool, and 

 lined with hair and feathers. 



The female lays 4 white eggs, marked with reddish 

 spots. 



In winter they migrate in great flocks to the 

 southern counties, where they are observed to feed 

 upon the seed of the alder. They hang when feed- 

 ing, like the titmouse, with their back downward. 



