120 THE BIRDS OF ESSEX.
Lesser Redpoll: Linota rufescens.
A resident in the north of England and Scotland, but best known
as a winter visitor to Essex, though individuals certainly sometimes
remain and breed with
us. It appears not to
be so common in Essex
as formerly, for my late
father could recollect
that many years ago he
often used to take them
in the nets with Spar-
rows when roosting in
stacks of corn during
winter.
Mr. Clarke says (24) that
about forty years ago it was
"seen occasionally in win-
ter" round Saffron Walden.
King says (20) it was then
" common " around Sudbury
—meaning presumably in
the winter-time. Henry
Doubleday, on September
24th, 1840, says (10) :
" I do not know whether
we are likely to have a sharp
winter or not, but I see some birds from the north are arriving. I have seen
flocks of Redpolls for three weeks past. We do not often see them so early here."
Edward Doubleday includes it (15) in his Epping list, and Mr. Buxton gives
" Loughton Forest and Wanstead Flats '' (47. 89). At Harwich, it is " common
during migration " (Kerry). Dr. Laver describes it as " common in winter in
both the Colchester and Paglesham districts," but he never knew it breed in
either. Mr. Hope says they are " caught near Upminster in large quantities in
the autumn and fetch 2d, each in London." He has also shot them in the spring.
As regards its breeding in the county, Mr. Travis records (44. i. lxiii.) that on
June 27th, 1879, a boy named Rushforth took a nest out of some fir-trees by the
roadside close to Shortgrove Park, near Saffron Walden. It contained young
birds, which were brought to Mr. Travis, in whose possession one of them lived
for some time, and I often saw it at his house. Mr. Brewis of Chesterford Park
has known it breed on the Common there. I have specimens of its eggs which I
believe were taken near Chelmsford about the year 1869. Mr. Fitch finds the
nest, he tells me, almost yearly among the shrubby sea-blite on the east side of
Osey Island. Mr. Sackett informs me that on June 7th, 1887, he saw one at
Reeve's Shaw, a copse in Orsett parish. He has not the least doubt as to the
species, as he has kept this bird in captivity and knows its note well. It is com-
mon there in the autumn.
In October, 1872, Mr. Stacey of Dunmow preserved a white variety shot at