THE LESSER REDPOLL 99 



to the commons and heaths, which afforded them night-lodging dur- 

 ing winter. Here they build their nests at a moderate distance 

 from the ground, more frequently in a furze-bush than anjrwhere 

 else, but occasionally in other shrubs or an adjoining hedge. The 

 nest is constructed of small twigs, moss, roots, and wool ; and 

 is lined with hair, feathers, and sometimes vegetable down. The 

 Linnet lays four or five eggs. The spring and summer song of the 

 Linnet is remarkable neither for compass nor power ; it is, however, 

 very sweet, and on this account the Linnet is a favourite cage- 

 bird. 



THE MEALY REDPOLL 



ACANTHIS LINARIA 



Throat and lore black ; forehead and crown blood-red ; breast and rump rose- 

 red ; under parts white ; nape reddish white, with dusky streaks ; 

 shoulders and back with dark streaks, edged with white ; quills and tail 

 feathers greyish brown, edged with white. Length five and a half inches. 



A NORTHERN species of Linnet, closely resembling the Lesser Red- 

 poll, but larger. It visits Great Britain only in the winter and 

 at irregular intervals, being in some seasons tolerably abundant, 

 and in others not seen at all. Little appears to be known of its 

 habits. 



THE LESSER REDPOLL 



ACANTHIS RUFESCENS 



Forehead, throat, and lore black ; crown deep crimson ; under parts light 

 crimson tinged with buff, fading towards the tail into white ; upper parts 

 reddish brown, with dusky streaks ; wings and tail dusky, edged with 

 pale reddish brown. Female — all the colours less bright. Length five 

 and a quarter inches. Eggs bluish white, speckled at the larger end 

 with reddish brown. 



The Lesser Redpoll so closely resembles the Siskin in its habits 

 and temperament, that a description of either of these birds would 

 serve well for the other. Like that bird it congregates in small 

 flocks ; it frequents damp valleys where alder-trees abound ; it 

 feeds on the seeds of the same trees ; like it, hangs at the extremities 

 of the twigs to explore the catkins, twitters merrUy as it flies, and 

 is quite as easily reconciled to captivity. But for the yellow 

 plumage and larger size of the Siskin, they might well be mistaken 

 one for the other. The Redpoll, however, is a much more frequent 

 bird, as its annual visits to the southern counties of England in 

 winter are as regular as those of Swallows in summer. Though a 

 northern bird, it does not unexceptionally repair to high latitudes, 

 but in summer remains to breed in Scotland and the northern 

 counties of England. As far south as Yorkshire it is not unfrequent, 



