FRINGILLIN.'E. 



187 



M ,V-4- 



THE LINNET. 



LiNOTA CANNABiNA (LiiinL-eus). 



Owing to its seasonal changes of plumage this species is often 

 known as the Grey Linnet ; also as the Red or Brown Linnet, to 

 distinguish it from the Greenfinch, which is frequently styled the 

 Green Linnet. It is widely distributed throughout the greater part 

 of the British Islands, especially on uncultivated lands and furze- 

 covered tracts ; but in the mountain-regions of Scotland it is repre- 

 sented by the Twite. Near Gairloch in Ross-shire it is almost 

 unknown, and it appears to be local in the Hebrides, though 

 common enough in the Orkneys ; while in Shetland it was identified 

 by Mr. Harvie-Brown in October 1892. In autumn large flocks 

 from the Continent arrive on our east coasts, and a general move- 

 ment southward occurs among our home-bred birds. 



The Linnet does not breed north of lat. 64° in Scandinavia, nor 

 beyond 60° in East Russia ; but southward, it is found as a resident 

 all over Europe, as well as in North-western Africa, the Canaries 

 and Madeira. Eastward, it appears to range as far as the Altai 

 Mountains ; but the representative which breeds in Asia Minor, 

 Hermon and Lebanon nearly up to the snow-line, as well as in 

 Persia and Northern India, is more ash-coloured, with bright scarlet 

 on the breast and more defined coloration, and is known as 



