LESSER REDPOLL. 289 
Mr. Ord has added to the description of Wilson as follows: — 
“ Contrary to the usual practice of Mr. Wilson, he omitted to furnish 
a particular description of this species. But this supplementary no- 
tice would not have been considered necessary, if our author had not 
fallen into a mistake respecting the markings of the female and the 
young male; the former of which he describes as ‘destitute of the 
crimson on the forehead, ‘end the latter ‘not receiving that ornament 
till the succeeding spring. When Mr. Wilson procured his speci- 
mens, it was in the autumn, previously to their receiving their perfect 
winter dress ; and he was never afterwards aware of his error, owing 
identity. Wilson is certamly confounding the Mountain Linnet fz. montium,) 
when he says, “ In the Highlands of Scotland they are common, building often on 
the tops of the heath, sometimes in a low furze bush, like the Common Linnet, and 
sometimes on the ground.” This is exactly the habit of the Mountain Linnet, and 
Mr. Ord is wrong in saying the young possess the crimson head; I have many in 
my possession without it, and have shot them at all seasons; they receive that 
mark at the commencement of the first breeding season, when the adult birds also 
receive an addition of plumage and lustre. ‘They seem very fond of the beech, as 
well as of the birch and alder, and appear to find insects in the husks of the old mast, 
which they are constantly picking and looking into. I have found their nests also 
pretty frequently in a young fir plantation; it was in a low situation, but they were 
invariably lined with the wool of willow catkins. I shall here add Mr. Selby’s cor- 
rect description of the manners of this species, which is in every way confirmed by 
my own observations. “ It is only known in the southern parts of Britain as a winter 
visitant, and is at that period gregarious, and frequently taken in company with the 
other species by the bird-catchers, by whom it is called the Stone Re lpoll. In the 
northern counties of England, and in Scotland and its isles, it is resident through 
the year. It retires, during the summer, to the underwood that covers the bases of 
many of our mountains and hills, and that often fringes the banks of their pre- 
cipitous streams, in which sequestered situations it breeds. The nest is built in a 
bush or low tree, (such as willow, alder, or hazel,) of moss and the stalks of dry 
‘ass, intermixed with down from the catkin of the willow, which also forms the 
ining, and renders it a particularly soft and warm receptacle for the eggs and 
young. From this substance being a constant material of the nest, it follows, that 
the young are produced late in the season, and are seldom able to fly before the 
end of June, or the beginning of July. The eggs are four or five in number; their 
color, pale bluish green, spotted with orange brown, principally towards the larger 
end. In winter, the Lesser Redpoll descends to the lower grounds, in considerable 
flocks, frequenting woods and plantains, more especially such as abound in birch 
or alder-trees, the catkins of which yield it a plentiful supply of food. When feed- 
ing, its motion affords both interest and amusement; 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 downwards, and assume a variety 
of constrained attitudes ; and, when thus engaged, it is so intent upon its work, as 
frequently 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 examina- 
tion. It also eats the buds of trees, and (when in flocks) proves in this way seri- 
ously injurious to young plantations. Its call note is very frequently repeated 
when on wing, and by this it may be always distinguished from the other species. 
The notes it produces during the pairing season, although few, and not delivered 
in continuous song, are sweet and pleasing.” 
“This bird is widely diffused through all the northern parts of Europe; inhabits 
Northern Asia as far as Siberia and acy and is also abundant in North 
America.” 
The authors of the Northern Zoology describe another bird allied to the Linnets, 
of which one individual only was obtained in the last northern expedition. It is 
said to be new, and is described as Linariu (Leocosticte) Teprocotis, Sw. Gray- 
crowned Linnet. It is an aberrant form of Linaria, which Mr. Swainson proposes 
to designate under the above sub-generic title. — Ep. 
