BRITISH BIRDS. 
*73 
THE GREATER REDPOLE. 
{Fringilla Cannabina y Lin . — Le grande Linotte de Vig- 
7ies y Buff.) 
This bird is fomewhat lefs than the laft, and 
differs principally from the Linnet in being mark- 
ed on the forehead by a blood-coloured fpot ; the 
breaft likewife is tinged with a fine rofe colour ; 
in other refpe&s it referable? the Linnet fo much, 
that Buffon fuppofes them to be the fame, and that 
the red fpots on the head and breaft are equivocal 
marks, differing at different periods, appearing at 
one time and difappearing at another, in the fame 
bird. It is certain that, during a ftate of capti- 
vity, the red marks difappear entirely ; and that, 
in the time of moulting, they are nearly obliter- 
ated, and for fome time do not recover their ufuai 
ktftre. But hower plaufible this may appear, it is 
not well founded. The Redpole is fmaller than 
the Linnet ; it makes its neft on the ground, while 
the latter builds in furze and thorn hedges : They 
differ likewife in the colour of their eggs-— that of 
the Redpole being of a very pale green, with rufty 
coloured fpots : The head of the female is afh-co- 
loured, fpotted with black, and of a dull yellow on 
the breaft and fides, which are ftreaked with dufky 
lines. — Redpoles are common in the northern parts 
of England, where they breed chiefly in mountain- 
ous places. 
