564 FRINGILLID &. 
alder stump near a brook, between two and three feet 
from the ground; the bird was sitting on four eggs, and 
was so tenacious of her nest, as to suffer us to take her off 
with our hand; and we found that after we had released 
her she would not forsake it.” Mr. Selby adds, that “ in 
winter, the Lesser Redpole descends to the lower grounds 
in considerable flocks, frequenting woods and plantations, 
more especially such as abound in birch or alder trees, 
the catkins of which yield it a plentiful supply of food. 
When feeding, its motions afford both interest and amuse- 
ment ; since in order to reach the catkins, which generally 
grow near the extremities of the smaller branches, it is 
obliged, like the Titmouse, to hang with its back down- 
wards, and assume a variety of constrained attitudes ; and, 
when thus engaged, it is so intent upon its work, as fre- 
quently to allow itself to be taken by a long stick smeared 
with bird-lime, in which way I have occasionally captured 
it when in want of specimens for examination. It also 
eats the buds of trees, and (when in flocks) proves in this 
way seriously injurious to young plantations. Its call-note 
is very frequently repeated when on wing, and the notes 
it produces during the pairing season, although few, and not 
delivered in continuous song, are sweet and pleasing.” 
According to Mr. Thompson, the Lesser Redpole is com- 
mon in Ireland. Sir William Jardine, writing from home 
in Dumfriesshire, says, a few pairs breed here annually in 
the vicinity, in young moorland plantations; and it is not 
unfrequent during summer in the Middle Highlands. Small 
parties also occur in the winter. Mr. Macgillivray in con- 
firmation, adds, “ that in many parts of Scotland this Red- 
pole remains all the year, breeding in the hilly districts 
among the brushwood that skirts the flanks of the moun- 
tains, or covers the margins of streams in rocky dells. I 
