254 ITS NEST AND EGGS. 



trees, searching for grain, seeds, or insects, of which its 

 food consists. 



GBEEN LINNET. 



Although generally said to be a late breeder, the nest of 

 this bird is often found towards the end of April, in low 

 bushes or hedges, and sometimes in trees. It is composed 

 on the outside of coarse fibrous roots, with bits of wool and 

 green moss interwoven, lined with finer roots, horsehairs, 

 and feathers. The eggs are from four to six in number, 

 white tinged with blue, the larger end speckled with pur- 

 plish grey and dark brown. 



The busy birds with nice selection cull 



Soft thistle down, grey moss, and scattered wool ; 



Far from each, prying eye the nest prepare, 



Formed of warm moss and lined with softest hair. 



Week after week regardless of her food, 



The incumbent Linnet warms her future brood ; 



Each spotted egg with wary bill she turns, 



Day after day with fond impatience burns ; 



Hears the young prisoner chirping in its coll, 



And breaks in hemispheres the fragile shell. 



This poetical description by Darwin, although written 

 we believe for the common Linnet, will suit equally well 

 for the Green species, which is robust and hardy, feeding 

 during the greater part of the year on seeds of grasses and 



