TWITE. 167 



spruce fir, generally about six feet from the ground, 

 and is made of materials similar to those of the 

 Chaffinch's nest. The eggs vary greatly in size, shape 

 and colour, but are generally of a greyish or greenish 

 white, spotted at the larger end with purple or brown. 



BRAMBLING. 



FRINGILLA MONTIFRINGILLA. 



Sub-family Fringillin^. Genus Fringilla. 



Frequently called the Mountain Finch. A winter 

 visitor throughout the British Islands, but irregular 

 and erratic, sometimes occurring in great numbers, 

 at other times being very scarce. It is observed 

 annually in the New Forest in our county, and in 

 many other parts. This bird closely resembles the 

 Chaffinch, so much so that it is difficult to distinguish 

 them : the chief point of difference is the black and 

 white, instead of green, rump. Bramblings and Chaf- 

 finches are frequently seen in company. This bird 

 does not, as a rule, nest in this country. 



TWITE. 



FRINGILLA FLAVIROSTRIS. 

 Sub-family Fringillin^. Genus Fringilla. 



The Twite or Mountain Linnet is a rare bird, which 

 has, nevertheless, bred in most parts of the British 

 Isles, wherever moors and heaths are to be found. 

 In the southern counties it is only a winter visitor. 

 In size, it is between the Redpole and Linnet, and 

 resembles them in appearance ; it is, however, longer 

 and more slender, and is without the red colour on the 

 forehead and breast. 



