This species breeds in circumpolar regions far north above the limit of tree growth, wherever a few dwarf birch or willow afford it enough cover for nesting, and is only an irregular winter resident in our islands. It has been subdivided into various races by systematic writers, on differences which need not concern us here, but although the commonest form met with in these islands belongs, as we would naturally suppose, to the North European race, the Greenland form has also been noticed on several occasions. Wandering through the country in small parties and associating with our native Redpolls, this species frequents gardens, stack-yards, or still more frequently, the low scrub that may be found in many places along the coast. With us its food consists almost entirely of small seeds, but during the breeding season in the north it feeds largely on insects. Its stays with us are of short duration, for it rarely arrives before the first cold weather in November and leaves our shores again early in February to revisit as soon as possible its northern home.

It is very similar in general appearance to the following species, but is larger and paler, especially on the rump. Length 5·1 in.; wing 2·9 in. The Greenland race is larger still, almost equalling the Linnet in size. There is still another form which has occurred in these islands and which may be recognised by its nearly white rump.