1g2 LESSER REDPOLL. 
On the Continent the Lesser Redpoll is unknown to the north of 
the Baltic, but it visits Heligoland (where a pair nested in 1872), 
Western Germany, Holland, Belgium, and France down to the 
Pyrenees. Bailly stated long ago that it bred in Savoy; Mr. S. B. 
Wilson says that he found it nesting on the Engstlen Alp (6,100 
feet) as well as in other parts of Switzerland; and Professor Giglioli 
maintains that it breeds on the Italian side; while even Dr. 
Stejneger admits (‘Auk’ 1887, p. 144) that examples from the 
Austrian Alps are practically identical with British specimens. There 
are, however, some ornithologists who question the identification. In 
severe winters our bird extends its migrations to the south of Spain. 
In the southern half of England the nest is often built in April, 
but nearly a month later in the north. The situation selected varies 
a good deal; in Norfolk, for instance, a small fruit-tree is often 
chosen, while a good many pairs may be found breeding in low 
alders and willows, down in the marshes ; again, small plantations 
of conifers, shrubberies, and hazel are much frequented. Fine 
twigs and grass stems, with a little moss and wool, are the 
materials employed for the exterior of the nest, the inside being 
beautifully lined with vegetable-down (principally from the catkins 
of the willow), hair and feathers. The 4-6 eggs are pale blue, 
spotted with reddish-brown: measurements ‘63 by ‘48 in. Two 
broods are usually produced in the season, and unfledged young 
have been found in the nest as lateas September 14th. In autumn 
the various family parties unite to form large flocks, and rove about 
in search of food, which consists mainly of seeds. At all times of 
the year the Lesser Redpoll is a tame and confiding bird, allowing 
a near approach ; and it is also sociable, being frequently found in 
the company of Siskins and other species. The usual note is a:con- 
tinuous twitter, but the love-song of the male is rather loud and clear. 
The adult male in spring has the lores and throat black, forehead 
and crown blood-red ; upper parts of a darker and warmer colour 
than in the Mealy Redpoll—especially the pink-tinted rump, while 
the bands on the wings are rufous-buff, not white ; breast carmine- 
red ; plumage otherwise as in the Mealy Redpoll, and colour of soft 
parts the same ; but the dimensions less, our bird measuring only 
4°75 in., and wing 2°75 in. After the autumn moult the red tints 
are generally less brilliant, owing to the pale edges of the new 
feathers; but I have seen old males with plenty of crimson in 
October. The female is smaller than the male, and has no red on 
the rump or breast, but only on the forehead ; while the young bird 
is even duller in colour, inasmuch as it has no red on the head. 
