131 
western, and midland districts of England, but of 
very rare occurrence in the northern parts of the 
kingdom. In Scotland it does not appear to have 
been seen at all, but it is partially distributed im 
Ireland. It is a delightful songster, surpassing 
the Sky-lark in the melodious richness, though 
not in the variety, of its notes. It frequently 
perches on trees and bushes, which the kindred 
species is not accustomed to do. It breeds very 
early in the spring, placing its nest on the 
ground, under the shelter of a tuft of grass or a low 
shrub. The nest is formed of dry grasses and 
stalks, lined with finer materials of the same kind, 
and usually with a few hairs intermixed. The eggs, 
four or five in number, are of a pale yellowish 
colour, marked with blotches of grey and umber 
brown. These birds do not congregate in flocks 
during winter, like the Sky-lark, but seem to re- 
main in families during that period, from five to 
seven being generally observed together. 
LINNET, COMMON. 
Grey, Brown, or RED-BREASTED LINNET. 
FRINGILLA CANNABINA, Lin. 
The colours of the male of this species are so 
much brighter in summer, the forehead and breast 
K 2 
