I20 LINNET. 



The eggs, four to six, are bluish green in ground 

 colour, clouded with pale reddish brown, sometimes very 

 thickly spotted and blotched and occasionally streaked 

 with pale purple brown and dark reddish-brown mark- 

 ings. They are not easily confused with the eggs of 

 any other bird, but there is an uncommon variety 

 which bears a remarkable resemblance to the eggs of 

 the Bullfinch. 



LINNET. 



FRINGILLA CANNABINA. 

 Family Passerid.^. Sub-family Fringillin^. Genus Frin- 



GILLA. 



Brown Linnet — Red Linnet — Grey Linnet— Rose Linnet — 

 Whin Linnet — Lintie. 



The Linnet is commonly distributed throughout the 

 British Isles, more particularly in those parts abound- 

 ing in gorse, whin and furze bushes, but it frequents in 

 smaller numbers nearly all parts, except perhaps just in 

 the breeding season. It should be noticed that this bird 

 is described by various names — Brown, Grey, White 

 and Rose Linnet, and sometimes Greater Redpole. 

 We have frequently had eggs brought to us thus 

 distinguished by farm boys and country people, 

 whereas these names simply denote the Linnet in 

 different attire, its plumage at various seasons under- 

 going great changes. 



In the autumn and winter the Linnets join in flocks, 

 packed closely together, and frequent the stubbles 

 and weedy, uncultivated ground. From here they 

 chiefly obtain their food, the seeds of thistles, dande- 



