COMMON LINNET. 579 



which it has been so long known, and thus another change 

 will be avoided. 



Our Common Linnet, which, assuming in the breeding 

 season a red colour on the breast, is then called the Rose 

 Linnet, and at other times the Brown Linnet, is a well- 

 known species, existing in great numbers on most of the 

 uncultivated lands of this country, appearing to prefer 

 commons and fields of furze. The gay and active habits 

 of this species, their sprightly and agreeable notes, would 

 enliven a dreary scene, while their social disposition in 

 confinement renders them great favourites with those who 

 are partial to caged birds. Except during the breeding 

 season, these birds are usually seen in flocks, roving from 

 place to place, feeding generally upon small seeds, particu- 

 larly those of the cruciform plants, with other seeds of 

 flax,* thistle, and dandelion. 



In the pairing season, the thickest parts of furze bushes 

 are generally selected as the place for incubation, and the 

 birds begin building early in spring. The nest is usually 

 formed of small twigs on the outside, with bents of grass, 

 lined with wool, and sometimes with the addition of hair 

 or feathers. I have known the Linnet's nest to be placed 

 high in a whitethorn bush, and I have a note of one that 

 was found in a fir tree, ten or eleven feet above the ground. 

 The eggs are four or five in number, of a pale bluish white 

 colour, speckled with pale purple and reddish brown ; the 

 length nine lines, by six lines and a half in breadth. 



When the broods are reared, and the summer over, these 

 birds again flock together, feeding on the stubble grounds, 

 and waste lands ; and in the maritime counties, Mr. Selby 

 observes, that in winter these flocks descend to the sea- 



* The Linnets were probably so named from their partiality to the seeds 

 of the various species of flax, j^mtrn, Linaria, Linota, La Linotte, 

 Linnet. 



PP 2 



