2i8 OUR FA VOURIIE SONG BIRDS 



will associate with a fl ck of Linnets. These flocks 

 frequent any rough ground where they can obtain 

 food, the birds feeding a good deal upon the ground; 

 they are rather wild, and if disturbed rise in a 

 compact twittering throng, bunching well together, 

 and probably settling on the top of some distant 

 tree, where for long they will keep up an 

 incessant twittering. As the birds recover from 

 their alarm they return in twos and threes and 

 little parties to the favourite feeding-place, and 

 eventually the entire flock is busily engaged in 

 search of seeds. If disturbed precisely the same 

 actions will be repeated. Flocks of Linnets will 

 often remain for weeks in one locality if the 

 food supply chances to be an abundant one. The 

 Linnet's paniality for the society of its own kind 

 is even strongly marked during summer, for 

 numbers of pairs will frequent the same gorse- 

 covert. 



The Linnet continues in flocks until the vernal 

 equinox, and regains its song a short time before 

 the winter gatherings disperse. Perhaps it is at 

 this time the song of the Linnet is heard to best 

 advantage ; certainly his early vernal music is the 

 best. The general effect is very charming when 

 the males of an entire flock warble in concert, as 

 they often do in March or early April. Here in 

 South Devon flocks of Linnets may be met with in 

 the gorse on the cliffs by the sea every spring ; 



