128 THE LniNG ANIMALS OF THE WORLD 



Photo br ir. F. Piggott 



LINNET 



One of I hi moit pabular cage-hirJs. The lo-called ReJ-hroivn and Grey Linnets are hut phuies of plumage of the same species. The hrrj 



in the 'ight-hanJ corner is a grefufirch 



brown, whilst the white parts are less pure in tone. The full dress of the male is rarely 

 seen in the British Islands, save in specimens procured from Scotland; for in winter, when the 

 snow-bunting is chiefly captured, the plumage is altogether more rufous. 



Unlike the buntings so far described, the REEli-BrXTiNC is to be found only in marshy 

 places, but in suitable localities it may be found in the British Islands all the year round, being 

 as common a species as the corn-bunting, and therefore not calling for special description here. 



The eggs of the buntings are remarkable for the curious scribble-like markings which 

 cover them, and ser\e readily to distinguish them from those of an\- other British bird. 



CHAPTER XVI 



LJRKS, TITMICE, HOXEV-EJTERS, JXD THEIR KIXDRED 



COXPTNKD almost entirel}- to the Old World, \\hcre they are represented b\- more than 

 one hundred species, many of which ha\e undergone considerable specialisation in the 

 matter of plumage, so as to enable them to li\e in desert regions, the Larks constitute 

 a well-marked group, into the characters of which we neeil not enter here. 



The best-known member of the group is the Skvi.ARK. Common throughout the British 

 Islands, and of sober coloration, no bird is more uni\ersall\- belo\-ed, and this largel}- on 

 account of the sweetness of its song, which is second only to that of the nightingale. Poets 

 and prose-writers alike have sounded its praises, many in passages that will be remembered as 

 long as our language lasts. The skylark is one of the few birds which sing while on the 

 wing; the peculiar nature of the flight at this time all must ha\-e watched, entranced the 

 while by the beauty of the song. 



