^AeLlnne^] , OF ORKNEY. 63 



Species 2. — The Linnet. 



fViLOm.258. Raii Sj/n. Av. 90. Brit. Zool. 311. Ore. Linnet, or Lint-twite. 



This little songster is very common through these islands. 

 It builds among the shrubs on the burn sides, and even among 

 the heather. The nest is constructed of small straws, bent, 

 hair, and wool, for the inside ; lays from four to six whitish- 

 spotted eggs. 



The linnet is much sought after as a song-bird, and confined 

 in cages almost in every house ; some particular birds of them 

 will sing almost the whole year, more or less, whilst others on- 

 ly in the spring ; in general, I suppose, this depends on the 

 sex of the bird, and its management. 



This species never migrates ; may be caught in great num- 

 bers in the snows of winter, by throwing down a parcel of 

 chaff', seeds, &c. and placing a clap-net, or, for want of that, 

 a riddle for winnowing corn, with a contrivance to make it 

 fall down on the birds. The linnet is easily tamed, and even 

 when caught old soon goes to its meat, and is famiharized to 

 its condition. 



