154 UR IRISH SONG BIRDS. 



on the Herbert Road from Bray to Enniskerry, and the 

 bird-catchers going round plucking the birds like plums 

 from a tree. During the breeding-season the birds are, 

 in a .measure, protected by the Wild Birds Act; but 

 when it has expired, what Mr. Watters calls " the bird- 

 lime battue " is commenced upon the young birds, or 

 " branchers," as they are sometimes styled. 



The various names given to the Linnet are all descrip- 

 tive of the same bird, but in different stages of plumage, 

 and at different seasons of the year. In his nuptial 

 dress the forehead and head are of a beautiful crimson 

 hue ; but this fades in autumn into a dark brown. The 

 female is always clad in more sober hues. 



The food of the Linnet consists of seeds of various 

 kinds ; hence its scientific name, from linum, flax, and 

 cannabis, hemp; the thistle, the dandelion, and the chick- 

 weed also supply it with food ; whilst in winter it lives 

 and thrives upon berries of ivy, holly, and the mountain 

 ash. It is a most serviceable bird to the farmer, 

 destroying both insects and weeds. 



The borders of the sea-shore are a favourite camping- 

 ground for Linnets ; there they feed on the dandelion 

 and other seeds. Thus they are very plentiful along the 

 sea-shore from Dublin to Malahide, and also on the east 

 coast of England, during the summer, from July, haunt- 

 ing the sandhills, or, as they are called there, " denes " 

 or " links." The well-known Happy Valley," near 

 Llandudno, is a favourite assembling-place ; and I have 

 often turned away from the strains of the band to listen 

 to the sweet, wild song of the many Linnets to be 

 found there. A friend in Achill Island, writing to Mr. 

 Watters, says : " Many times I have been sitting by the 



