THE BIRD-LIFE OF LONDON 
on the outermost feathers; the under parts are buff, 
much darker on the flanks, nearly white on the abdomen 
and under tail-coverts, and flushed with carmine on the 
breast. Bill slate-grey ; tarsi and toes brown;  irides 
brown. Length 5% inches. ‘The female is more dingy 
in colour than the male and wants the crimson on the 
head and breast, and is streaked with dark brown on the 
under parts. ‘The nestling resembles the female in colour. 
After the autumn moult much of the male’s crimson flush 
is concealed by the fringes to the feathers, but as spring 
advances these disappear, and the colours also intensify. 
The rosy tints of the male Linnet disappear in captivity. 
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