Birds of Britain 



during the breeding season in the north it feeds largely on 

 insects. Its stays with us are of short duration, for it 

 rarely arrives before the first cold weather in November and 

 leaves our shores again early in February to revisit as soon 

 as possible its northern home. 



It is very similar in general appearance to the following 

 species, but is larger and paler, especially on the rump. 

 Length 5*1 in. ; wing 2'9 in. The Greenland race is larger 

 still, almost equalling the Linnet in size. There is still 

 another form which has occurred in these islands and which 

 may be recognised by its nearly white rump. 



THE LESSER REDPOLL 



Linota rufescens (Vieillot) 



This species is a regular resident with us and may be 

 found in most of our counties. As a breeding bird, however, 

 it becomes scarcer in the south of England and local in 

 Scotland, its chief haunts at that time of year being the 

 north of England, Wales, and Ireland. 



During the winter months it wanders about in large 

 parties and its chuckling call-note may often be heard as 

 they pass from one field to another. It nests chiefly in 

 woods, the nest being placed against the trunk of some tree 

 at a moderate height from the ground. The nest is an 

 extremely neat structure of twigs and moss, beautifully 

 formed and lined with vegetable down, wool, and feathers. 

 The eggs, except in size, are much like those of the Linnet, 

 but the ground colour is darker and the spots are smaller. In 



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