THE REDPOLL. 63 



that birds delayed in migration might make up their minds 

 to colonise in this country. Still, the comparative scarcity 

 of such instances would go to refute such a supposition, 

 and the " escaped bird }) theory would probably be the 

 more correct. 



The nest so found by us near Brighton was small, but 

 prettily built, with a foundation of twigs, dry grass, stalks, 

 and moss, intermingled with the down of the catkin of 

 the willow, which forms a beautifully soft lining ; and this 

 description tallies to a great extent with that of Mr. Selby. 



About April, or the beginning of May, Redpolls 

 commence their return migration, which is evidently of an 

 erratic nature, as some of the birds are in full plumage 

 as regards the red breast, whilst the general plumage is 

 lighter, which would almost lead us to suppose that these 

 birds had wintered in Southern Europe; but being of a 

 gregarious nature, it is very difficult to distinguish the 

 arrival of these fortunate strangers. Certain it seems 

 that with age the distinguishing colour deepens and also 

 brightens, although this rule is completely reversed if the 

 bird be kept in captivity, as in that case the red entirely 

 disappears from the breast and rump, and in process of 

 time also from the head, its place being taken there by a 

 greenish gold. 



Although so small, the Redpoll is a very hardy bird, 

 and from its extreme docility is a particular pet, especially 

 with children. Being so plentiful, the price is extremely 

 small ; therefore it is that, despite the very meagre song of 

 the Redpoll, which is limited to two notes and a call-note, 

 generally represented by ( ' pe-weet," often repeated, this 

 little bird may be found in every bird-seller's shop, and 

 generally receives a home in every aviary. But especially 



