rinch WESTERN BIRDS 



Though one could hardly think of bird life in southern 

 California, where these birds are as common as are the 

 English Sparrow and Robin in the east, without the 

 Linnets, they are not confined to this part of the coun- 

 try, as they extend north into Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, 

 and south to Mexico, being found, also, in western 

 Kansas and middle Texas. 



There are several subspecies in the west, but we will 

 consider only frontalis. 



The female Linnet resembles the female English Spar- 

 row, although she is not so heavy of build. In southern 

 California only comparatively few of these Sparrow 

 pests have straggled in, although abundant in middle and 

 northern parts of State. Some have felt that because 

 there are so many Linnets and because these birds are 

 rather aggressive and are found all about the yards in 

 the summer, and banded together in large flocks in the 

 winter, that they take the place of the English Sparrow 

 and will keep them out. Certainly we of the south hope 

 so, for the Linnet, though sampling out ripening fruit 

 to the extent that he is pronounced a pest by some 

 orchardists, and is denied protection by law, is infinitely 

 preferable to the foreigner. 



At my own home I always keep out bread and suet 

 for these birds and a pool affords bathing for them. 

 They must have water and are seldom seen where it is 

 scarce. They are, indeed, house Finches, building in 

 the porch vines, in the eave troughs, bushes or nooks 

 about the house when possible. The nest is a bulky 

 affair built by the female. The male sometimes carries 

 a straw, but usually he only flies back and forth and 

 encourages with his jolly song. Madam also does the 

 brooding, leaving the nest when she wishes food. 



From four to six eggs are laid and incubated for about 

 two weeks and then the proud father helps with the feed- 

 ing, which is by regurgitation. When the nestlings, 



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