188 THE SMALLER BRITISH BIRDS. 



pine or fir, and places its nest on the highest branch of one of theso 

 trees, or sometimes on the bougb of the nlder. It is fastened to the 

 branch with spiders' webs, coral-moss, nnd threads from the cocoons 

 of various insects, and ; s cleverly constructed of these materials, woven 

 together with small twigs, and lined with very fine roots." The eggs 

 vary greatly in size, shape, and colour, but are m general of a greyish 

 or greenish white, spotted around the larger end with purple and 

 brown. The female, without any assistance from her mate, sits on the 

 eggs for about fourteen days; the young are fledged in fifteen more, 

 and are able to leave the nest at the end of the third week. Two 

 broods are generally reared in a season. 



The food of these birds consists of the seeds of the fir, pine, beech, 

 alder, thistle, dandelion, and other trees and plants. They cling to 

 the branches and stems, and exhibit the same nimbleness and activity 

 as the Goldfinches. The song of the male, although little more than 

 a continuous chirrup, is sweet and pleasing. The flight of the Siskin 

 is light, rapid, and undulating, but it rarely remains long on the wing 

 in this country. On the ground it hops with considerable rapidity. 



This bird is sometimes called the Aberdevine, or the Black-headed 

 Thistle Finch. Its scientific title is derived from carduus a thistle, 

 aud spinus a thorn. 



THE LINNET, 



{Linaria cannabina.} 

 PLATE XII. FIGURE II. 



THE tints of the plumage of this species undergo such great changes 

 at different seasons and periods of life, that it has been called by the 

 various names of the Brown, Grey, White, and Rose Linnet. It is 

 also known as the Whin Linnet, the Greater Redpole, and the Liutie. 

 Its scientific title is derived from linum flax, and canna a cane or 

 reed. 



The Linnet is plentiful in nearly all parts of the European continent, 

 u large portion of Asia and Asia Minor, and in north-western Africa. 

 It is well known throughout Britain, being as common in the Orkney 

 and Shetland Islands as in the southern counties of England. During 

 the summer these birds frequent open commons, moors, and the borders 



