LINNET AND REDPOLE COMPARED 105 



being tinged with red ; but a closer inspection 

 reveals a very decided difference. The linnet is 

 nearly an inch longer than the redpole, the red 

 tinge on the head and breast of a brighter hue, 

 and that on the breast is also more strongly 

 marked and extends lower down, the tail is 

 rather longer than that of the redpole. The 

 general appearance of the redpole is also less 

 sleek than that of the linnet, and the feathers on 

 the crown partake somewhat of the character of a 

 crest. The song of the linnet is peculiarly soft, 

 sweet, and plaintive, though very simple ; the 

 note of the redpole is sharper and more decided. 

 The linnet, moreover, prefers a dry situation, 

 whereas the redpole, like the siskin, which it most 

 resembles in habits and character, prefers such 

 situations as are favourable to the growth of alder- 

 trees, and on which, as does the siskin, it finds 

 food to its liking. Both the linnet and redpole 

 congregate in larger flocks than the siskin. When 

 partridge-shooting last December (1894) an un- 

 usually large flock of linnets preceded the line 

 of guns for a long distance, alternately settling 

 and rising before us. This was, I think, the 

 largest flock of these birds which I have ever 

 seen. 



On a warm and sunny afternoon in September, 

 when walking along a rough hillside amongst 

 the downs, a pair of linnets settled on a thistle 

 close to me. Sitting down, I watched them 

 through my field-glass. The afternoon sun was 



