100 THE MOUNTAIN LINNET OR TWITE 
and its nest has been occasionally found in the midland counties ; 
some eggs were recently brought to me in Hertfordshire. Meyer 
relates, that having one confined in a cage he placed it in his garden 
in fine weather, in the hope that other birds of the same species 
might be attracted by its note to visit it in its confinement. His 
expectation was realized, for several wild Redpolls not only came 
into his garden and twittered their notes of recognition from the 
neighbouring trees, but actually alighted on the bars of the cage. 
This took place in the county of Surrey, and during the month 
of June, thus proving that some at least of the species remain with 
us all the year round. The nest, which is remarkably small, is 
described as being placed in the fork of an alder-tree, loosely con- 
structed of dry grass and weeds, and lined either with the cotton of, 
the willow or the pappus of some compound flower, stated by some 
to be dandelion, by others, thistle, but perhaps, in reality, coltsfoot. 
In captivity, Redpolls are prized for their liveliness and remark- 
able affection for each other, and, indeed, for all little birds who 
do not disdain their attentions. They can be taught many little 
tricks also. 
THE MOUNTAIN LINNET, OR TWITE 
ACANTHIS FLAVIROSTRIS 
Upper plumage dark brown, edged with light brown ; no crimson either on the 
forehead or breast ; rump of the male tinged with red; throat tawny 
brown, without streaks; breast and abdomen dull white, streaked on 
the flanks with dark brown; beak yellow; feet and claws dark brown ; 
tail long. Length five inches and a quarter. Eggs pale bluish white, 
speckled with purple-red. 
ANOTHER northern bird, inhabiting the Arctic Regions, Scandinavia, 
and Russia, and travelling southwards in autumn. In the Orkney 
and Shetland Islands it is the most common, if not the only, species, 
and builds its nest among the corn or heath. It breeds from 
Derbyshire and northwards, but is very local; at one time it was 
very common on the Lancashire moors. Yellow-neb Lintie is 
a Scotch name given to it. In the countries where it is resident 
all the year round, it is very destructive to wheat in winter, and to 
turnips in summer. As soon as the latter plants appear above 
ground, the bird pulls them up, nips off the seed-leaves, and the 
field remains strewn with the fragments of the young plants. In 
winter, Mountain Linnets assemble in very large flocks, and in 
their habits resemble Common Linnets, from which they are best 
distinguished (at a distance) by their longer tails. During — 
weather I have observed them in Norfolk, flocking to the salt 
marshes, and feeding on the seeds of saline plants, especially those 
of the shrubby sea-blite. At this season their note resembles the’ 
