FRINGILLINA, IgI 
THE LESSER REDPOLL. 
LINOTA RUFESCENS (Vieillot). 
The Lesser Redpoll, the smallest of our British Finches, may be 
distinguished from the preceding by its size, and by its darker and 
more rufous colouring. Throughout the greater portion of the year 
it is generally distributed over the British Islands, and large numbers 
are taken by bird-catchers from autumn to spring; but in the 
breeding-season it is rather local. Its distribution at that time in 
Scotland appears to be somewhat dependent upon woods and 
plantations, and is consequently irregular, extending to the Orkneys 
and to the Inner Hebrides, but not to the Outer group; though 
in winter the bird is generally dispersed and partially migratory. In 
Wales and England it nests, more or less commonly, in and north of 
Brecon, Worcestershire, Shropshire, Leicestershire and Norfolk ; 
locally in Suffolk, Northamptonshire and Cambridgeshire ; sparingly 
in Gloucestershire and along the upper parts of the Thames valley ; 
and more frequently than is generally supposed in the counties of 
Middlesex, Surrey and Kent, even in the vicinity of London. In 
Hants, Wilts, Dorset and Devon, it is a very local breeder, and in 
the extreme south-west it is rare at any time; while it has never 
been obtained on migration from any of the light-ships on the east 
coast of England. It'nests commonly in many parts of Ireland, 
and large flocks are sometimes seen in winter. 
