BRITAIN'S BIRDS AND THEIR NESTS. 257 



cup. Hair and feathers are used for the lining. The 

 four to six eggs are greenish white, usually spotted and 

 clouded with two reddish colours. Two broods are 

 produced, as a i-ule. 



THE BRAMBLINQ 



(Fringilla montifringilla). 



The Brambling is a near ally of the Chaffinch, and is 

 known as a winter visitor in rather variable numbers 

 to many parts of our area. There is a fairly reliable 

 record of its having bred in Scotland in 1866. The six 

 or seven eggs are very like those of the Chaffinch, but 

 are greener, and are usually more distinctly marked. 



THE LINNET 



(Linota cannabina). 



Plate 84. 



The Linnets form a distinct group among the other 

 Finches, and display obvious similarities, one with another, 

 in both habits and appearance. The plumage is usually of 

 sober brownish hues, relieved by patches of red, especially 

 about the head. In the present species, for instance, 

 there is in summer a bright display of crimson on the 

 forehead and the centre of the breast of the adult 

 male. The new feathers grown in autumn, however, 

 have broad edges of pale gray which hide the crimson. 

 These edges disappear in spring — a t3^ical instance of 

 a breeding plumage being assumed without a real moult. 

 The red is not present in the immature and adult 



2g 



