THE LINNET 217 



The Brown Linnet, " Gorse Linnet," or '* Lintie," 

 as it is otherwise known, is a resident in the British 

 Islands, but subject to much locaj movement. Its 

 numbers are also increased in autumn by large 

 flocks from the Continent ; and some authorities 

 assert that at the same season a considerable south- 

 ward movement takes place amongst our indigenous 

 birds : this we are inclined to doubt. 



The same adverse circumstances that have so 

 disastrously reduced the Goldfinch in numbers 

 seem to have affected the Linnet in a similar way. 

 It is certainly not as common in many places as it 

 used to be ; and this can be traced to the wanton 

 wholesale capture by bird-catchers, and the 

 reclamation of much waste ground which was 

 formerly its favourite retreats. The haunts of the 

 Linnet vary somewhat according to season. In 

 autumn and winter they are stubbles, rough pas- 

 tures, commons, and the unenclosed lands near the 

 sea, particularly " saltings " ; in spring and summer 

 the more upland districts are the chosen retreats, 

 gorse-coverts, heaths, the rough grazing grounds 

 near the moors, and the moors themselves, espe- 

 cially where they are sprinkled with bushes, thickets, 

 and stunted trees. During autumn and winter the 

 Linnet is more or less gregarious, some of its gather- 

 ings at these seasons numbering hundreds of indi- 

 viduals. The bird is not seen much in the company 

 of other Finches ; sometimes Twites and Redpoles 



