MOUNTAIN LINNET. 597 



season of the year. There is, however, a tinge of red on 

 the rump of the male in summer, and in the general cha- 

 racter of the plumage of both sexes there is considerable 

 similarity to that of the other species of the genus. This 

 bird is a winter visitor only to the southern parts of Eng- 

 land, where it is generally seen in small flocks, with other 

 Linnets ; but it breeds in the northern parts of England, 

 in Scotland, and in the western as well as the northern 

 Scottish islands every season. 



The Mountain Linnet, as its name would imply, prefers 

 high hills and mountains, or, at least, an interchange of 

 moor and fell. Dr. Latham sent Colonel Montagu a nest 

 and eggs taken in Yorkshire ; and according to Mr. Neville 

 Wood, this bird breeds also in some parts of Staffordshire 

 and in Derbyshire, exhibiting its partiality to the higher 

 grounds. This is probably about the southern limit of its 

 breeding ground in this country. 



Mr. Thompson says it is not uncommon in certain locali- 

 ties in Ireland. Mr. Macgillivray states that it "is plen- 

 tiful in the Hebrides, and in winter frequents the corn-yards 

 in large flocks, clinging to the stacks of oats, and picking 

 out the seeds. Its flight is rapid and undulated, and it 

 flies in circles over the fields previous to alighting, utter- 

 ing a soft twitter at intervals. When disturbed it betakes 

 itself to tall trees, or to a distant field ; but is not shy, and 

 may therefore be easily approached when feeding. In spring 

 it forsakes its winter haunts, and disperses over the hilly 

 tracks, where it forms its nest on the ground, among short 

 heath, or on the grassy slopes of craggy spots. It is neatly 

 constructed, being composed externally of fine dry grass, 

 fragments of heath, and a little moss, internally of fibrous 

 roots, wool, and hair. The eggs are bluish white, marked 

 towards the larger end with light brown and purplish red, 

 sometimes with a few blackish dots." 



