LESSER REDPOLL 
LINOTA 11 XJFESCENS. 
Large flights of this diminutive species make their way south, as autumn advances, from the northern 
portions of our islands (if not from across the sea) and remain as winter visitors scattered over the 
country, iho flocks to he seen in the southern and eastern counties from the beginninj* of October 
till the end of March are usually far in excess of the numbers passing the summer in this part of 
Great Britain. The most reliable authorities assert that the Lesser Itcdpoll is not a native of Scandinavia ; 
it is also stated that the British Islands are not visited by any migrants from the north of Europe. This 
information, I conclude, must be accepted as indisputable. Considering, however, the fact that, during 
some seasons at least, their summer-haunts in the Highlands are by no means entirely deserted, the 
immense numbers spread over England in autumn and winter appear far greater than the entire 
Redpoll population of the northern parts of Great Britain. With the exception of this large addition 
to the birds in the south, I have failed to make any observations tending to prove we are visited by 
strangers from the north of Europe. During the years passed on the north-cast coast of Scotlaud, I 
did not recognize any large flights in the vicinity of the shore at the time other small migrants were 
landing by thousands. Though a few wings of the Bed-breasted Linnet and one of the Siskin were 
received during the years I was in communication with the light-ships off the east coast, I could gain 
no tidings of this species. 
At various times in the course of my wanderings I have met with the compactly built and 
elegant nest of this lively species in almost every county in the north of Scotland. That Redpolls 
breed in many parts of England has been repeatedly recorded, and in 18G9 some two or three pairs 
nested and reared their young in the immediate vicinity of Brighton. I closely examined the parent 
birds through the glasses, and all exhibited the worn and faded appearance of those kept in cages. 
The carmine colouring on the head and breast of the males was also wanting, its place being taken by 
feathers of a rusty yellow tint. It is probable that the whole of the birds had either been liberated 
or escaped from confinement, immense numbers being kept in captivity in this locality. On no other 
occasion have I met with the nest of this species further south than Norfolk. In the neighbourhood 
of the broads several pairs may occasionally be seen during summer, though the numbers that remain 
in the district are exceedingly uncertain. In 1873 and 1878 Redpolls were especially plentiful; in 
1881 I did not notice a single bird in the locality after the departure of the winter flocks. 
I am not aware whether this species rears more than one brood in a season. Young birds were, 
however, seen on wing in the east of Norfolk in 1878 as early as June 9, and in 1873 a pair commenced 
building a fortnight later. 
With the exception of the Lesser Redpolls near Brighton, whose nests were placed in elder and 
willow, I have only noticed this species breeding in alder and stunted thorn-bushes. The nests coming 
