COMMON GRAY, OR BROWN LINNET. 283 



careless structure of slender twigs, moss, and 

 wool, lined with hair or feathers. Mr Hewitson 

 hints at the probability of there being two species 

 of what is termed the Brown or Common Linnet, 

 the one breeding among whin, the other in 

 hedges, and the latter always having smaller eggs, 

 In our own immediate locality, we have not 

 observed this difference in the site of the nest, 

 but the subject may be worth while investigat- 

 ing, as many of the species known are closely 

 allied. During winter they assemble often in 

 vast flocks, feeding on the stubble lands, or 

 ploughed fields, and sometimes descending near 

 the shore. When disturbed, they fly in a wheel- 

 ing flight close together, and several times pass 

 the object of their alarm before they quit the 

 vicinity. At this time their cry is their usual 

 call-note often repeated. They roost among the 

 whin covers, in any thick brush, or low planta* 

 tions of evergreens, near their haunts, and if 

 undisturbed in a fine and serene evening, the 

 flock will assemble on some tree or more elevated 

 bush, pluming themselves, and rehearsing, as it 

 were, their songs for the coming spring. The song 

 is taken up by the whole flock, each warbling his 

 own strain ; and this, when the air is still, may be 

 heard at a considerable distance. They are a 

 favourite cage bird both in England and Scotland, 

 and for this purpose are taken during winter, 

 particularly in the south, by means of various 

 snares. In the north it is more frequently 



