522 FRTNGILLIDK. 



plumage of both sexes there is considerable similarity to tliat 

 of the other species of the genus. This bird is a winter 

 visiter only to the southern parts of England, where it is gene- 

 rally seen in small flocks, with other Linnets ; but it breeds 

 in the northern parts of England, in Scotland, and in the 

 western as well as the northern Scottish Islands every season. 



The Mountain Linnet, as its name would imply, prefers 

 high hills and mountains, or, at least, an interchange of moor 

 and fell. Dr. Latham sent Colonel Montagu a nest and eggs 

 taken in Yorkshire ; and according to Mr. Neville Wood, 

 this bird breeds also in some parts of Staffordshire and in 

 Derbyshire, exhibiting its partiality to the higher grounds. 

 This is probably about the southern limit of its breeding 

 ground in this country. 



Mr. Thompson says it is not uncommon in certain locali- 

 ties in L-eland. Mr. Macgillivray states that it " is plentiful 

 in the Hebrides, and in winter frequents the corn-yards in 

 large flocks, clinging to the stacks of oats, and picking out the 

 seeds. Its flight is rapid and undulated, and it wheels over 

 the fields previous to alighting, uttering a soft twitter at in- 

 tervals. When disturbed it betakes itself to tall trees, or to 

 a distant field ; but is not shy, and may, therefore, be easily 

 approached when feeding. In spring it forsakes its winter 

 haunts, and disperses over the hilly tracks, where it forms its 

 nest on the ground, among short heath, or on the grassy 

 slopes of craggy spots. It is neatly constructed, being com- 

 posed externally of fine dry grass, fragments of heath, and a 

 little moss, internally of fibrous roots, wool, and hair. The 

 eggs are bluish white, marked towards the larger end with light 

 brown and purplish red, sometimes with a few blackish dots." 



Sir William Jardine sends me word that the Mountain 

 Linnet is abundant in the north Highlands, taking the place 

 there in summer of the Common Linnet, L. cannahinn, in 

 the Lowlands. Once or twice, this gentleman observes, I 



