BIRDS. 131 
iog all through the county in suitable localities (0. MSS., 
1868). 
In 1885 very abundant indeed; both in pairs and in 
flocks of old and young in June 1885, all round the cul- 
tivated belt of land on the north and east coasts. 
93. Linota linaria {L.). Mealy Redpoll. 
(Though we have no positive records, no doubt this species 
occurs in passage at times.) 
94. Linota rufescens (Fieill.). Lesser Redpoll. 
Breeds rather commonly in some of the birch and alder woods 
on the east coast. Fresh eggs may be taken from the 
middle of May to the middle of June. Breeds almost in 
a colony near Lairg. Not hitherto observed in the west 
of the county, and unrecorded in the Tongue district, or 
elsewhere in the north. 
Mr. Osborne records this species as only an occasional 
visitant in Caithness, but says that considerable parties 
have been seen in some years, and at different seasons, and 
that their numbers are rapidly on the increase (0. MSS., 
1868). We have it also recorded later by Mr. Keid. 
95. Linota hornennanni, Holb. Greenland Redpoll. 
96. Linota flavirostris (X.). Twite. 
Not known to us as a breeding species in the south-east, 
though it is more than probable that it occurs largely in 
winter with the flocks of common linnets, as we have seen 
it in the districts about Badenloch in the autumn, haunting 
the gardens and "kailyards." As far back as 1849 the 
twite was known to breed at Inchnadamph, as in that year 
Mr. Wolley took a nest of three eggs, and shot the birds, on 
the little river Trailigill. They continued to breed there. 
