192 



but simply amusing himself by flitting from twig to 

 twig without offering the slightest assistance. 



The male and female were obtained at Potter 

 Heigham in Norfolk in June, 1873, the young 

 having been caught in some gardens in Brighton in 

 August, 1869. 



MEALY REDPOLL. 



Case 289. 



This species is only an autumn and winter 

 visitor to our shores, at times appearing in con- 

 siderable flocks. 



I have known it plentiful in Sussex, frequent- 

 ing the alder bushes in the interior of the county 

 and also being occasionally met with in the 

 immediate neighbourhood of Brighton. In Norfolk 

 the vicinity of Norwich appears a most favourite 

 locality for this bird. It is also at times observed 

 in various other parts of the British Islands. 



The specimens in the case were obtained 

 among the alder trees on the banks of the Heigham 

 river near Norwich in December, 1873. 



LINNET. (WINTER). 

 Case 290. 



It will be seen by the specimens in the case 

 that during winter the male birds of this species 

 lose the handsome crimson feathers that adorn 

 their breasts in summer and take in their place 

 others of a more sober claret colour. 



If kept in confinement they never regain the 

 bright colour when they have once lost it. 



The specimens in the case were obtained 

 between Rottingdean and Newhaven in Sussex 

 during the severe weather in December, 1874. 



