104 
FRINGILLID^. 
of the “ coiiimoii linnet/’ they of course mean the twite, thus 
unintentionally misleading strangers. 
THE MEALY EEDPOLE. 
Linota canescens. 
I can find no mention of this species in any of the Orkney 
or Shetland lists, it having probably been mistaken for the 
Lesser Eedpole, which, according to Messrs Baikie and Heddle, 
is indigenous to their islands. It is now a regular winter 
visitant to Shetland, appearing first in the north of Unst, and 
gradually, though very slowly, proceeding southwards. I first 
met with it on the 25th of September 1860. The name of 
Stone Eedpole has been very appropriately bestowed upon it, 
bare stony hillsides being its favourite haunt. It resorts to 
gardens and cultivated places for the sake of obtaining food, 
but no sooner is the flock thoroughly alarmed than it betakes 
itself to some open stony spot, where it is sometimes almost 
impossible to distinguish a single bird, so similar in colour is 
the plumage to that of the surrounding objects. It is fond of 
feeding in ditches, and when the common sorrel {Rumex 
acetosa) is abundant, so deeply engrossed does it become in its 
occupation of seed-hunting that the flock may be approached 
within the distance of a few feet. 
In autumn it is not unusual to see numbers of these pretty 
birds clinging to the garden walls, busily searching for food 
among the moss ; the stackyard also is a favourite resort, on 
account of the numerous seeds which are there to be found. 
Very large flocks sometimes arrive as early as the beginning of 
September. From these I have shot males in almost perfect 
summer plumage, the under parts being of a beautiful deep 
rose colour. 
When busily engaged in feeding, these Eedpoles often become 
mixed witli greenfinches, chaffinches, or twites, but on being 
alarmed tliey immediately separate. 
