258 BRITAIN'S BIRDS AND THEIR NESTS. 



female birds. At different seasons the Linnet receives 

 the names ' Gray Linnet,' ' Brown Linnet,' and ' Red (or 

 Rose) Linnet,' which distinguish it from the * Green 

 Linnet ' (Greenfinch). The word ' Linnet ' — popularly 

 *Lintie' in some parts — is a reference to the bird's 

 partiality for the seeds of flax. 



The Linnet is migratoiy to a considerable extent, but 

 is found in fair numbers over almost the whole of our 

 area throughout the year. It is also a familiar cage- 

 bird, for it is an admirable songster and a good imitator. 



The nest is composed chiefly of moss, with the usual 

 lining materials. It is placed among whins as a rule, 

 less often among broom-bushes or heather. Usually it 

 is not actually on the groimd, although naturally never 

 very far from it. The foui- to six eggs have purple and 

 red markings on a bluish-white ground. Two broods are 

 sometimes reared. 



THE TWITE 



(Linota flavirostris). 



The Twite, or 'Mountain Linnet,' is distinguished by 

 its more slender build, longer tail, and yellow beak. 

 The adult male has a rose-pink patch on the rump, but 

 no crimson on head or breast. The species appears to 

 nest only in Norway and the British Isles. In Great 

 Britain it is found on the moorlands, from the Midlands 

 of England northward, and is very abimdant on the 

 western side and the outlying islands of Scotland. In 

 the Irish mountains it is also common. In winter it 

 forsakes the higher levels and becomes more widespread, 

 but does not reach the south of England. Except that 

 it is a moorland species, its habits resemble those of 



