COMMON LINNET. 581 



under surface of the tail-feathers when spread out exhibits 

 a series of grey and white longitudinal bars ; legs, toes, and 

 claws, brown. 



The whole length of the bird is five inches and three- 

 quarters. From the carpal joint to the end of the wing- 

 feathers, three inches and one-eighth ; the first three quill- 

 feathers nearly equal in length, but the first rather the 

 longest ; the fourth feather one quarter of an inch shorter 

 than the third. 



In autumn and winter these birds have no red colour on 

 the head or breast ; the beak is brownish horn colour ; the 

 feathers of the head, cheeks, and ear-coverts, dark brown, 

 with lighter greyish brown edges ; back, wings, and tail- 

 coverts, dark brown, the margin of each feather being 

 lighter in colour, but with less of the rich chestnut colour 

 observed in summer ; quill and tail-feathers as in winter ; 

 throat, breast, belly, and under tail-coverts, pale wood- 

 brown, with conspicuous longitudinal streaks of dark brown 

 on the breast. 



Males do not -in confinement acquire the fine red colour 

 which pervades the breast of a mature wild bird ; and a 

 female has been taken bearing a fine red breast, but this is 

 not generally the case. The particular plumage, however, 

 assumed during the breeding season by many species, being 

 a periodical indication of constitutional and sexual vigour, 

 is borne in degree by both sexes. 



The female Linnet is a little smaller than the male, and 

 has the upper surface of the body rather lighter in colour, 

 and more varied with dark brown patches ; the under sur- 

 face of the body slightly tinged with rufous, and streaked 

 with brown. 



Young birds resemble the females, and have the breast, 

 belly, and flanks, streaked longitudinally with brown. 



The vignette below represents the mode of working the 



