THE TWITE 223 



of never leaving it. The bird is subject to a certain 

 amount of internal migration from the moors to the 

 lower and cultivated districts ; whilst in autumn con- 

 siderable numbers enter our area from continental 

 districts. It is a common migrant at Heligoland, 

 both in autumn and spring — occurring in October 

 and November, and again in March. The habits 

 of the Twite, and during the winter, at least, the 

 haunts it frccjuents, are very similar to those of the 

 Linnet. At the approach of autumn it becomes 

 gregarious ; indeed we have noticed assemblies of 

 this species as early as June, so that it seems 

 probable the birds begin to gather as soon as nest- 

 ing duties are over. Their favourite haunts at this 

 season are weedy pastures and rough unenclosed 

 lands, especially near the coast, and here in compact 

 flocks they live, wandering little, so long as food 

 can be obtained. They are not particularly shy 

 birds, but if approached too closely the entire flock 

 will rise eji masse, twittering noisily to each other, 

 and perhaps after wheeling round for a moment, 

 will again settle and commence feeding ; or, as 

 often happens, betake themselves to some distant 

 tree-top, where they will keep up a loud chorus ot 

 cries until they again light upon the ground, usually 

 doing so in straggling parties. y\ga'n and again 

 they may be flushed with precisely the same results. 

 This species appears to live principally upon the 

 ground ; it is comparatively seldom seen in hedges 

 or bushes ; it prefers a lofty situation when perched, 



