314 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 



and throat rufous, lighter on the breast and sides, 

 which are speckled with brown ; belly nearly white ; 

 vent tinged with brown ; under tail-coverts almost 

 white ; legs, toes, and claws dusky ; tail slightly 

 forked. 



The female is lighter coloured on her upper 

 parts, and lacks the red on her rump. 



Situation and Locality. Amongst tall heather, 

 ling, brushwood, and furze. Sometimes quite on 

 the ground against the side of a bank or by a stone 

 in moorland districts in the North of England, 

 Scotland and the surrounding islands, and Ireland. 

 Our illustration is from a photograph taken on a 

 small island near Oban, where we found several 

 nests. 



Materials. Twigs, fibrous roots, grass stalks and 

 blades, moss, and wool, with an inner lining of 

 feathers, hair, or down. 



Eggs. Four to seven, generally five or six ; 

 very similar, indeed, to those of the Linnet. Pale 

 bluish-green, spotted and streaked with reddish- 

 brown and dark brown ; sometimes streaked with 

 the lighter reddish tinge, Some authorities say 

 that they are a little more streaked, and that the 

 light red markings are less frequent than in those 

 of the Linnet. The markings are generally most 

 numerous on the larger end of the egg. Size 

 about -69 by -5 in. Easily distinguished by the 

 appearance of the parent birds. 



Time. May and June. 



Remarks. Eesident in its breeding haunts, but 

 a winter visitor to the more southern portions of 

 England. Notes, twite ; the cock has a pleasing 

 little song. Local and other names : Mountain 

 Linnet, Twite Finch, Heather Lintie. Sits closely. 



