LINNET. INSESSORES. LIN ARIA. 321 



at that period gregarious, and frequently taken in company 

 with the other species by the bird-catchers, by whom it is 

 called the Stone Redpole. In the northern counties of Eng- 

 land, and in Scotland and its isles, it is resident through the 

 year. It retires, during the summer, to the underwood that 

 covers the bases of many of our mountains and hills, and 

 that often fringes the banks of their precipitous streams ; in 

 which sequestered situation it breeds. The nest is built in Nest, &c. 

 a bush or low tree (such as willow, alder, or hazel), of moss 

 and the stalks of dry grass, intermixed with down from the 

 catkin of the willow, which also forms the lining, and ren- 

 ders it a particularly soft and warm receptacle for the eggs 

 and young. From this substance being a constant material 

 of the nest, it follows that the young are produced late in 

 the season, and are seldom able to fly before the end of June 

 or the beginning of July. The eggs are four or five in 

 number ; their colour pale bluish-green, spotted with orange- 

 brown, principally towards the larger end. In winter the 

 Lesser Redpole descends to the lower grounds, in consider- 

 able flocks, frequenting woods and plantations, more espe- 

 cially such as abound in birch or alder trees, the catkins of 

 which yield it a plentiful supply of food. When feeding, its Food, 

 motion affords both interest and amusement; since, in order to 

 reach the catkins, which generally grow near the extremities 

 of the smaller branches, it is obliged, like the Titmouse, to 

 hang with its back downwards, and assume a variety of con- 

 strained attitudes, and, when thus engaged, it is so intent 

 upon its work, as frequently to allow itself to be taken by a 

 long stick smeared with bird-lime, in which way I have oc- 

 casionally captured it when in want of specimens for exami- 

 nation. It also eats the buds of trees, and (when in flocks) 

 proves in this way seriously injurious to young plantations. 

 Its call-note is very frequently repeated when on wing, and 

 by this it may always distinguished from the other species. 

 The notes it produces during the pairing season, although, 

 VOL. i. x 



