THE COMMON LINNET. 



217 



earlier Ornithologists there were sujji^osed to be two 

 species, one of which was called Linota, probably from its 

 having been observed feeding on flax-seed (Linum) ; the 

 other Cannabina, from having been seen to feed on hemp- 

 seed (Cannabis). The two latter names are now associated 

 to designate the "Common Linnet" in all its phases. 

 Linnets offer themselves to our notice in the evenings of 

 autumn and winter more than at any other time. Large 



THE COMMON LIN^'^;T. 



flocks of them may then be observed making their way, 

 with rapid and irregular flight, towards tall trees which 

 happen to stand in the vicinity of a common or a furze- 

 brake. On the summits of these they alight, with their 

 heads, in stormy weather, always turned towards the 

 wind, and after keeping up a continuous twittering 

 for a few minutes, suddenly drop into their roosting- 

 places among the furze and thick shrubs. At the 



