42 THE NESTS AND EGGS OF BRITISH BIRDS. 



The underlying markings are paler brown. Many of the 

 dark round spots are in the centre of paler markings. 

 One rather scarce variety is clear greenish-blue in ground 

 colour, spotted and streaked (usually in a zone) with dark 

 reddish-brown, and with paler brown underlying mark- 

 ings ; another is very pale bluish-green, and entirely 

 spotless. On some eggs the colouring matter is very 

 eccentric, and displayed in one or two washes or splashes ; 

 on others it is confined to a circular patch on the large 

 end of the ^gg, most intense in the centre, and shading 

 off into paler tints. Average measurement, "75 inch in 

 length, by '6 inch in breadth. The female alone incubates 

 the eggs, the period lasting from twelve to fourteen 

 days. 



Diagnostic characters: The eggs of the Chaffinch 

 cannot readily be confused with those of any other 

 species breeding in the British Islands. Their most 

 striking characteristic is the round rich brown spots, 

 situated on larger and paler markings. The eggs of the 

 Brambling most nearly resemble them, but this species 

 does not breed within the British area. 



Family FRINGILLID.^. Genus LIXOTA. 



Sub- family FRINGILLIN.-E. 



LINNET. 



LiNOTA CANNABINA {LiimCClls). 



Double Brooded generally. Laying season, April to June. 



British breeding area : Breeds in all districts 

 suited to its requirements throughout the mainland of 

 the British Islands, and in many parts of the Hebrides, 

 where, like the Twite, it nests in the ling and heath. 



