470 THE SNOW BIRD. 



yellow. The greater wing-coverts, together with the tertiaries, are grey ; the chin, thi'oat, 

 breast, and under parts of tlie body are yellow, falling into grey on the flanks. With the 

 exception of the two short middle feathers, which are grey-brown throughout, the tail- 

 feathers are yellow for tlie first half of their length, and grey-brown for the remainder. The 

 female is of much more sober colours, being greenish brown on the back and under surface, 

 and the yeUow of the wings being very dull. The total length of the bird is about six 

 inches, the female being little less than her mate. 



The lower figure of the illustration represents the common Linnet, sometimes called the 

 Brown Linnet, in contradistinction to the preceding specie.s, or the Geeatee Eedfinch, 

 in allusion to the vermilion-tipped feathers of the crown. 



Few birds are better known than the Linnet, although the change of plumage to which 

 it is subject in the diflerent seasons of the year has caused the same bird, while in its 

 winter plumage, to be considered as distinct irom the same individual in its summer dress. 

 Except during the breeding season, the Linnets associate in flocks, flying from spot to spot, 

 and feeding upon the seeds of various plants, evidently preferring those of the thistle, 

 dandelion, and various cruciferous plants. It is a very lively bii'd, and is possessed of a 

 sweet and agi'eeable, though not very powerful song. 



The nest of this bird is strangely variable in the positions which it occupies, sometimes 

 being placed at a considerable heiglit upon a tree, and at otlier times built in some bush 

 quite close to the ground, the latter being the usual locality chosen by the bird. The full 

 number of the eggs is five, and the colour is mostly blue, spotted with dark brown, and a rather 

 faint and ttndecided purple. The Linnet is not at all successful in concealing her nest, so 

 •that the eggs are always foimd in great numbers on the string of the bucolic nest-seeker. 



The summer plumage of the male bird is as follows : On the top of the head, the feathers 

 are greyish brown at their base, but are tipped with In-iglit vermilion, a tint which contrasts 

 well with the ashen grey-brown of the face and back of tlie neck. The upper parts of the 

 body are warm chestnut, and the wing is black, excepting the narrow exterior webs, which 

 are white. The chin and throat are grey, the breast bright red slightly dappled with 

 brown, and the under portions of the body are grey-brown, taking a yellowish tint on the 

 flanks. The tail is rather forked, and the feathers are black, edged with white. 



During the winter the vermilion-red of the head and breast vanishes, and is replaced 

 by simj^le brown. It is a curioixs fact that the fine red tint is only to be found in the 

 wild birds. Tlie female is lighter in colour than her mate, and the under surface of the 

 body is brown, slightly dashed with red. The total length of the bird is nearly six inches, 

 the female being about half an inch shorter. 



The Snow Bird, which is not to be confounded with the Snow Bunting, hereafter to be 

 described, is an inliabitant of America, and has a very large range of country. 



According to Wilson's lively description of this bird, " at first they are most generally 

 seen on the borders of woods among the falling and decayed leaves, in loose flocks of 

 thirty or forty together, always taking to the trees when disturbed. As the weather sets 

 in colder, they venture nearer the farmhouses and villages, and on the approach of what 

 is usually called ' falling weather,' assemble in larger flocks, and seem doubly diligent in 

 searching for food. This increased activity is generally a sure prognostic of a storm. 



Wlien deep snow covei's the ground, they become almost half domesticated. They 

 collect about the barns, stables, and other outhouses, spread over the yard, and even round 

 the steps of the door ; not only in the country and villages, but in the heart of our large 

 cities ; crowding around the threshold early in the morning, gleaning up the crumbs, and 

 appearing very lively and familiar. They also have recotxrse at this severe season, when 

 the face of the earth is shut up from them, to the seeds of many kinds of weeds that still 

 rise above the snow, in corners of fields, and low sheltered situations, along tlie borders of 

 creeks and fences, where they unite with several species of sparrow. Tliey are at this 

 time easily caught with almost any kind of trap, are generally fat, and it is said are 

 excellent eating." 



At the very beginning of summer, as soon as the weather begins to be warm, the 

 Snow Bird retires from its winter quarters, and migrates to the higher regions of the 



