270 THE LESSER REDPOLE. 



preference does not arise merely from the superior loftiness of 

 these trees, but has a ' deeper seat/ to which the fine evergreen 

 shrubs at their base may fairly lay claim : — in their umbrageous 

 shelter the birds warmly repose during the long winter night. 

 In wild districts, I have remarked that they roost among the more 

 lowly furze or whins. 



In the north of Ireland the whin is the greylinnet's favourite 

 plant for building in, next to which, the hawthorn may be ranked, 

 whether in a hedge or growing singly. It is likewise partial in the 

 breeding season, and during summer, to the wild hill-sides in the 

 chalk or limestone districts of the north-east of the island, where 

 there is a profusion of humble underwood, as the various species 

 of rose, bramble, &c. On the 1st of September, I have seen 

 birds with the red on the breast as bright as in June. This 

 is a favourite cage-bird in the north of Ireland, and consequently 

 is much sought after by bird-catchers, who call it simply grey, 

 or whin-grey. 



THE LESSEE REDPOLE.* 



Linaria minor, Ray. 

 Fringilla linaria, Linn. 



Is found from north to south of Ireland. 



Although probably resident everywhere, it is more plentiful in 

 the north, but from the nature of its haunts, is not commonly 

 known like the greylinnet. The bird is mentioned in the Eauna 

 of Cork, as a rare winter visitant, but further observation will 

 doubtless evince its more frequent appearance. In Kerry, Mr. 

 R. Chute, considers the species so rare, that he has particularized 

 the year of its occurrence in the same manner, as he has those 

 in which the snow bunting and mountain finch were found. 

 At the end of May or beginning of June, the lesser redpole has 

 been observed on the banks of the Blackwater, in the county of 

 Waterford, and was presumed to breed there,t which it is known 



* Redpoll it should rather be, but as authors have generally used the above ortho- 

 graphy, it is adopted. 



tBall. 



