REDPOLE. 117 



alder, and other trees; and they also destroy many buds, 

 probably in seeking for insects hid among them. Like the 

 Titmice, they assume a variety of interesting positions in 

 hanging on the small and flexible boughs which bend beneath 

 their light weight when gaining their livelihood. Audubon 

 says of them, 'Few birds display a more affectionate dispo- 

 sition than the Little Redpole, and it was pleasing to see 

 several on a twig feeding each other by passing a seed from 

 bill to bill, one individual sometimes receiving from his two 

 neighbours at the same time.' Occasionally they will descend 

 to the ground in examination of the cones which have fallen 

 down. 



The flight of this little bird is particularly light, nimble, 

 and buoyant. 



Its voice is very clear and loud, and in the spring sweet 

 and pleasing. If disturbed, it utters at first on rising a 

 hurried chatter, and as it flies away a single and more 

 prolonged note. 



It breeds in various northern parts of the hilly districts 

 of Scotland and the north of England, and many other 

 places. The nest has in two recorded instances been known 

 so far south as Halifax, in Yorkshire, namely, in 1835 and 

 1836; but the fact is that it is to be found plentifully in 

 that district, and no doubt in many others, every summer. 

 Once in Oxfordshire, by the Revs. Andrew and Henry 

 Matthews; twice at Melbourne, in Derbyshire, by J. J. Briggs, 

 Esq.; thrice near Downham, and twice near Thetford, in 

 Norfolk, in 1846, by C. E. Hunter, Esq.; and at Bramerton, 

 Costessey, and Mousehold Heath, near Norwich, as Mr. Henry 

 Bellars has informed me. Once at Shanklin Chine, in the Isle 

 of Wight, in May, 1843, by the Eev. C. A. Bury, and another 

 was found there at the same time; also in Surrey, Nottin- 

 ghamshire, and Warwickshire. 



The young are hatched rather late, and are seldom able to 

 fly before the end of June or beginning of July. 



The nest is built in a low bush or tree, such as an alder, 

 hawthorn, hazel, or willow, or in heather, and is fabricated 

 of moss, stems of grass, and willow catkins, the latter being 

 also used for the lining, as also feathers. 



This species lays from four to six eggs: their colour is pale 

 bluish green, spotted with orange brown, principally towards 

 the larger end, with sometimes a few thin streaks of a darker 

 colour brown or black. 



