l8o LINNET. 



A. fringillirostris or A. hcUa. In winter one or both of these forms 

 visit Egypt and Abyssinia. 



Breeding begins in April ; the nest being made of fine twigs, 

 moss and grass-stalks, and lined with wool, hair, vegetable-down 

 and sometimes a few feathers. It is generally placed in gorse or 

 juniper bushes, though often in hedges, and sometimes in low trees. 

 The eggs, 4-6 in number, are bluish-white, blotched, speckled and 

 streaked with reddish-brown and purplish-red : average measurements 

 ■7 by 53 in. Two broods are often reared in the season. The food 

 consists of soft seeds, especially those of an oily nature, such as 

 the various species of flax and hemp ; grains of charlock, knot- 

 grass and other weeds are also largely consumed, while in winter 

 various kinds of berries and even oats are devoured. In autumn 

 the different families unite in large flocks, which may be seen cross- 

 ing the stubbles with swift dipping flight, uttering their musical and 

 rapidly-repeated twit, twit. At this season large numbers are taken 

 by bird-catchers, as the birds then adapt themselves more easily to 

 captivity than if captured in the spring. The natural song is sweet, 

 although somewhat irregular, but it is the capacity for learning the 

 notes of other birds which makes the Linnet so great a favourite for 

 the cage. In our cold, dull climate, captive males seldom acquire 

 in spring the fine crimson tints on the head and breast ; but abroad, 

 under the influence of warmth, bright sunshine and good food, Mr. 

 J. Young has known them do so, and in Madeira the wild males 

 appear to undergo hardly any eclipse. 



The adult male in breeding-plumage has the forehead and centre 

 of the crown crimson ; rest of the head, nape and sides of the neck 

 mottled brownish-grey ; mantle chestnut-brown ; wing-feathers dull 

 black, with white outer edges which form a conspicuous elongated 

 bar ; upper tail-coverts dark brown, with broad whitish margins ; 

 tail-feathers black, narrowly edged with white on the outer and 

 broadly on the inner web ; chin and throat dull white, striped with 

 greyish-brown ; breast crimson, occasionally with a decided yellow 

 tinge ; belly dull white ; flanks fawn-brown ; bill horn-colour, legs 

 brown. Length 5*75 ; wing 3*i5 in. In autumn the bill is brownish, 

 the crimson feathers are concealed by wide grey margins, and the 

 under parts are more striated. The female is rather smaller and 

 duller in colour, with no crimson on the head and breast, and 

 little white on the wings, while both upper and under parts are 

 much streaked with dark brown. The young at first resemble the 

 female. 



