RUDDY-BREASTED BIRDS. 107 



male in summer only, there is little left that is dis- 

 tinctive. The grayish cast of the hind-'part of the 

 head and the neck, however, is in clear contrast to the 

 ruddy-brown of the wings and back. The Linnet 

 nests principally in gorse-bushes, and occasionally 

 in broom or heather, and is to be looked for in 

 summer in the open lands where these grow. It uses 

 freely a twittering note, and during the breeding 

 season the male indulges in a short song-flight, utter- 

 ing a gentle trilling that may be referred to that of 

 the Canary as a well-known type. Being a perennial 

 seed-eater, the Linnet is at all times to be seen hopping 

 among grasses and weeds. In autumn and winter 

 Linnets collect in bands, which rove about in high, 

 rapid flight, incessantly twittering as they go. The 

 forked tail then shows plainly against the sky. 

 During their quick flight the birds break aside errati- 

 cally, now in one direction, now in another, finally 

 scattering out and shooting suddenly to earth with a 

 directness and velocity that are characteristic of the 

 Linnet. They are little given to perching in trees. 



TWITE— 5 inches ; in form and general colouring resem- 

 bling the Linnet, but distinguislied by its yellow bill. 



LESSER REDPOLL — 4f inches; in form and general 

 colouring resembling the Linnet, but has black forehead 

 and conspicuous black chin-patcli. 



GREENFINCH— 6 inches; like tlie Linnet in form and 

 habits, but greenish, with bright-yellow patches on the 

 wings and tail. 



PIPITS. — Although similarly streaked - brown above and 

 streaked - white beloAV, frequenting open situations, 

 banding together and calling to one another on the 

 wing, and using a high, erratic flight. Pipits may be 

 distinguished by their longer, sharper bills, their note, 

 * Wheel ! wheet ! ' and walking gait. Linnets being hop- 

 ping birds. 







