LINNET. 153 



LINNET. 



Linota cannabina ; Grosbec linotte ; Blutfink. 



Grey Linnet ; Brown Linnet ; Rose Linnet ; Lintie ; 

 Greater Redpoll ; Whin-grey ; Thorn-grey. 



Bill, greyish ; head, legs, and claws, brown ; forehead 

 and breast, crimson ; back, wings, and upper tail-coverts, 

 chestnut-brown ; abdomen, whitish ; tail, black, and 

 somewhat forked. The crimson plumage is only worn 

 in the spring and summer ; in autumn and winter it is 

 replaced by different shades of brown. Length, five 

 inches. 



This is one of the most common Irish birds, and, in 

 the opinion of many, deserves to rank first amongst 

 our native songsters. With the Lark it shares the 

 distinction of being " the poor man's bird," and is very 

 frequently seen in the poor man's window, or hung just 

 over his door. In winter, and in the early spring, 

 Linnets are to be found in large flocks, and the bird- 

 catcher may be seen busily at work with his clap-net, 

 and call-bird often tied by the leg, and able just to 

 flutter for a short distance from his perch. In a field 

 near Baldoyle great numbers are taken. I was told that 

 nine dozen were captured " in one clap of the net," and 

 that at least 1,100 Linnets had been made prisoners 

 in the season. It struck me as very remarkable that 

 the birds, when disturbed, only flew off for a very short 

 distance, and then returned again to the call-bird and 

 the net, like moths to a candle. In many cases bird- 

 lime is in requisition, and I have seen the twigs lined 



