200 BIRDS OF SOMERSETSHIRE. 
various weeds, such as dandelions, thistles, ground- 
sel and docks; also the seeds of rape, hemp and 
flax. 
The nest of the Linnet is generally placed in some 
low bush, especially a furze-bush, on some open 
common: it is, however, occasionally placed higher 
up: a whitethorn and a fir-tree are both mentioned 
by Yarrell. In Guernsey I have often found the 
nest tolerably high up in the branches of a thick 
Ilex and of a variegated holly. It is made of small 
twigs and bents of grass, and lined with wool, 
feathers and hair. 
This bird assumes a change of plumage in the 
Spring, or breeding-season, in a manner totally 
different from any bird I have yet had occasion to 
describe, though common to many others which are 
to follow, especially amongst the Grallatores. When 
the time arrives for these birds to put on their spring 
dress or “habit des noces,” as the French call it, 
the change of plumage is not effected either by moult 
or by the wearing-off of the margins of the feathers, 
but some colouring secretion is put forth which gives 
to the feathers a totally different colour; in this case 
the feathers on the breast assume a bright scarlet: 
this colour is assumed in the spring gradually, but 
rather rapidly. 
Though the Linnet is easily kept in confinement, 
it is said never to assume this bright scarlet on the 
breast, nor does it ever breed in confinement: both 
