LESSER REDPOLL TWITE. 45 



LESSER KEDPOLL (Acanthi* rufescens). 



Resident. Occurring most abundantly in the north of 

 England and Ireland. It nests in most of the counties, but 

 more sparingly towards the South. In Scotland, very local. 



Haunts. Well- wooded districts. 



Observation. Our smallest Finch, and distinct on account 

 of its darker and rosier colouring. 



Plumage. Forehead, lores, and throat black. Crown crim- 

 son ; upper parts reddish brown, streaked longitudinally with 

 blackish. Wings and tail dark brown with pale margins. 

 Breast rose-red. Belly and under tail-coverts sordid white. 

 Bill dark brown at tip, otherwise yellowish. Legs blackish 

 brown. Length 5 in. In autumn rosy tints less distinct. 

 Female slightly smaller and duller, with rose colour only to 

 head. Young, duller than female, and no rose-colour on head. 



Language. Song, a short clear twittering, not unlike the 

 Linnet's but much coarser. Call-note, " tit-it-it." 



Habits. Much like the Linnet, but more Tit-like and en- 

 gaging in its movements. It seldom feeds on the ground, except 

 in winter, when it is gregarious. Rather a confiding bird. 



Food. Insects and their larvae, and seeds, especially those 

 of the birch. 



Nest. May onwards. Two broods. 



Site. In the fork of a tree or hedge, in low bushes and tufts 

 of grass, in alders, willows, &c. 



Materials. Small twigs, roots, stalks, and moss, lined with 

 vegetable down, hair, wool, and feathers. 



Eggs. Four to six. Pale greenish blue, spotted and speckled 

 with reddish and purplish brown. 



TWITE OR MOUNTAIN LINNET (Acanthisflavirostris). 



Resident, but migratory to some extent in winter. Occurring 

 locally in the northern midlands and the North ; common in 

 North Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. 



Haunts. Mountain and moorland districts. 



Observation. Distinguish from Linnet and Redpolls by 

 absence of rose tint on head and breast. 



Plumage. Upper parts dark brown. Feathers margined 

 with lighter brown. Rump rose-red. Wings dark brown 

 margined with whitish, and conspicuous in flight. Cheeks and 

 throat reddish buff. Breast and belly dingy white, streaked on 

 the flanks with dark brown. Bill light yellow. Legs dark 

 brown. Length 5 in. In winter much greyer in colouring. 

 Female, no rose-red rump. Young, duller. 



Language. Song, not unlike the Linnet's, but inferior to it. 

 Call-note, " twah-it " (hence Twite). 



