316 LI NOT A 



stems, and moss, carefully lined with plant-down and feathers, 

 in a tree generally about 10 feet from the ground, but rarely on 

 or close to the ground. The eggs from 4 to 6 in number are 

 deposited in May or June and are pale greenish blue sparingly 

 blotched and blurred with dull rufous and measure about 0'7l 

 by O5. This species is subject to considerable variation and 

 two subspecies L. holboelli (Brehm) and L. rostrata (Coues) 

 have been recognised but I cannot consider either as fairly 

 separable. 



462. LESSER REDPOLL. 

 LINOTA RUFESCENS. 



Linota rufescens (Vieill), Mem. Real. Accacl. Sc. Tor. xxiii. Sc. Fis. 

 p. 202 (1816-18) ; (Gould), B. of Gt. Brit. iii. pi. 52 ; Newton, ii. 

 p. 146 ; Dresser, iv, p. 47, pi. 188 ; (Sharpe), Cat. B. Br. Mus. xii. 

 p. 252 ; Saunders, p. 191 ; Lilford, iv. p. 62, pi. 30 ; L. linaria, 

 (Hewitson), i. p. 201, pi. li. fig. 2. 



Sizerin cabaret, French ; Volicelo, Pajaro linero, Span. ;. 

 Organctto minore, Ital. 



(t ad. (England). Differs from L. linaria in being smaller, in having 

 the upper parts darker and more rufous in tinge, the rump more strongly 

 marked, and the bands on the wing pale warm buff. Culmen 0'4, wing 

 2*75, tail 2'4, tarsus 0'55 inch. The female is smaller, lacks the red on 

 the rump and breast and has the under parts dull brownish white, the 

 breast, sides, and flanks streaked with dull brown. 



Hob. Great Britain and Western Europe, breeding in Great 

 Britain, and possibly also in the northern part of western 

 continental Europe, wintering as a rule further south. 



Like the preceding species it is lively and active, rather tame 

 and confiding than otherwise, and is essentially a woodland 

 species, frequenting woods, groves, and bush-covered places, but 

 in the winter may often be seen in the open country in large or 

 small flocks, frequenting alder and birch-trees and keeping up 

 a continual twittering. Its food consists of seeds of various 

 kinds chiefly those of composite weeds, and in the summer to 

 some extent of insects. Its song is clear, rather loud than 

 otherwise and pleasing. Its nest, which is placed on a tree or 

 bush, frequently at a considerable height, and occasionally in 

 the heather, is smaller than that of L. linaria, cup-shaped, very 

 neatly constructed of fine twigs, grass-bents, moss, and wool 

 carefully lined with plant-down, sometimes with hair and 

 feathers. The eggs 4 to 6 in number are usually deposited in 

 May and resemble those of L. linaria, but are smaller, measuring 

 about 0'61 by 047. 



