The Lesser Redpoll 



summer the Lesser Kedpoll feeds chiefly on insects, but seeds 

 and berries are eaten at all seasons and especially in winter. 



They may be found in all kinds of country, generally 

 associating with other Finches and Buntings, but they are 

 rather more partial to woods, gardens, and orchards. Their 

 song bears a family resemblance to that of the Linnet, but 

 is not so melodious or sweet. This bird is very tame and 

 confiding, and may often be watched as it moves about in 

 the trees of some orchard, examining them carefully for 

 insects and reminding one in its actions of the Tits. 



The male has the upper parts of a warm brown with 

 darker streaks. Lores and throat black ; the crown, rump, 

 and breast are carmine ; rest of the under parts whitish, 

 becoming browner with dark streaks on the flanks. In 

 autumn the red tints on the rump and breast are much 

 obscured by the broader pale edgings to the feathers. The 

 female is rather smaller than the male aud lacks the red on 

 the breast and rump. The breast is buff with dark stripes, 

 and the rump similar in colour to the mantle but paler. 

 The young resemble the hen but lack the red on the crown. 

 Length 4 - 75 in. ; wing 2-75 in. 



In winter this species shows far more red on the breast 

 than does the Mealy Kedpoll at the same time of year. 



THE TWITE 



Linota flavirostris (Linnaeus) 



Inhabiting moorlands and breeding among the heather, 

 this gregarious species may be found from the Midlands 



J 33 



