FRINGILLID.^. 37 



measure from the non-abundance of thistles on which 

 it loves to feed, and which are not so plentiful as 

 heretofore. Nevertheless, one may occasionally see 

 the bright-plumaged Goldfinch singing merrily from 

 a spray in a tall hedge in the spring. A few remain 

 to breed, but the species is more numerous in spring 

 and autumn, at which seasons it appears to augment 

 its numbers. 



Common Linnet {Linota camiabind). A com- 

 mon species, residing with us all the year. This 

 bird has many local names, most of which are de- 

 rived from its various plumages, as Rose Linnet, 

 Grey Linnet, Brown Linnet, Lintie, and Red-breasted 

 Linnet. The , Linnet builds in low bushes, often 

 selecting the furze-bush, but I have known a nest 

 to be placed at the unusual height of six feet from the 

 ground. 



Bullfinch {Pyrrhula vulgaris). This pretty 

 species is resident all the year, but is not nearly so 

 numerous as was the case a few years ago. I do 

 not mean to say that it is by any means a rare 

 bird, but many localities where it used to be very 

 common, now know it no more. I have often seen 

 Bullfinches in the osier-beds which border the 

 Thames, and their nests, eggs, and young are every- 

 where indiscriminately taken. Many are annually 

 captured by the London bird-catchers, and this, 

 doubtless, has greatly diminished their numbers. 



This bird is occasionally subject to variety. A 



