314 BRITISH BTEDS' XESTS. 



and tliroat rufous, lighter on tlie breast and sides, 

 wliicli are speckled witli brown ; belly nearly white ; 

 vent tinged with brown ; under tail-coverts almost 

 white ; legs, toes, and claws dusky ; tail slightly 

 forked. 



The female is lighter coloured on her upper 

 parts, and lacks the red on her rump. 



Situation and Localit//. — Amongst tall heather, 

 ling, brushwood, and furze. Sometimes quite on 

 the ground against the side of a bank or by a stone 

 in moorland districts in the North of England, 

 Scotland and the surrounding islands, and Ireland. 

 Our illustration is from a photograph taken on a 

 small island near Oban, where we found several 

 nests. 



Materials. — Twigs, fibrous roots, grass stalks and 

 blades, moss, and wool, with an inner lining of 

 feathers, hair, or down. 



Eggs. — Four to seven, generally five or six ; 

 very similar, indeed, to those of the Linnet. Pale 

 bluish-green, spotted and streaked with reddish- 

 brown and dark brown ; sometimes streaked with 

 the lighter reddish tinge. Some authorities say 

 that the}^ are a little more streaked, and that the 

 light red markings are less frequent than in those 

 of the Linnet. The markings are generalh^ most 

 numerous on the larger end of the egg. Size 

 about -69 by -5 in. Easily distinguished by the 

 appearance of the parent birds. 



Time. — May and June. 



Bemarls. — Eesident in its breeding haunts, but 

 a winter visitor to the more southern portions of 

 England. Notes, twite ; the cock has a pleasing- 

 little song. Local and other names : Mountain 

 [jinnet. Twite Finch, Heather Lintie. Sits closely. 



