BIRDS OF THE COMMONS 71 



ing, and altogether duller and more striated. Young, 

 like female. 



Language. Song, a chuckling " turra-tit-turra-turra- 

 turra," generally delivered in an irregular manner on the 

 wing ; also " chick-chick-a-chock-chick-chick-a-chick, 

 chick, chick, chick-achoo." Call-note, " twit," rapidly 

 repeated, especially when flying. 



Habits. Flight fairly rapid and undulating, more 

 aerial than other Finches, and in the love season the male 

 delights in rising up into the air a few yards and then 

 gracefully descending, singing his best notes. Gregari- 

 ous, even in the breeding season. 



Food. Aphides and caterpillars in summer. Its diet, 

 however, is chiefly various kinds of seeds ; berries and 

 grain in winter. 



Nest. April onwards. Two broods. 



Site. Preferably in a furze-bush ; in evergreens, and 

 garden shrubberies sometimes, in hawthorn hedges and 

 bushes. 



Materials. Dry grass, small twigs, stalks, moss, and 

 wool, lined with wool, down, hair, and feathers. 



Eggs. Four to six. Bluish or greenish white, spotted 

 and speckled, and sometimes streaked with reddish and 

 purplish brown. 



TWITE OR MOUNTAIN LINNET 



(Acanthis flavirostris). 



Resident, but migratory to some extent in winter. 

 Occurring locally in the northern midlands and the North; 

 common in North Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. 



Haunts. Mountain and moorland districts. 



Observation. Distinguish from Linnet and Redpolls 

 by absence of rose tint on head and breast and slimmer 

 appearance. 



Plumage. Upper parts dark brown. Feathers mar- 

 gined with lighter brown. Rump rose-red. Wings dark 



