192 THE SMALLER BRITISH HIRDS. 



In tins country it is in general very rare, but a large number are 

 said to have been taken in the year 1827, and again in 1829. Several 

 specimens were obtained near Colchester in January, 1836; when shot 

 they were feeding on the seeds of the alder, in company with Siskins. 

 Another specimen was killed in the neighbourhood of Saffron Waldon, 

 in the month of May, of the same year. Others have been met with 

 in Yorkshire, Suffolk, and other parts of the country, most of them 

 in winter. 



The eggs of this bird are described as pale greenish blue, sprinkled 

 all over with pale but distinct spots of a reddish brown colour, some 

 of them inclining to lilac, chiefly confined to a zone around the larger 

 end. 



In its habits this species is said to resemble the Common Redpole. 

 Its food consists of the seeds of various forest trees. 



THE TWITE, 



(Linaria montana.) 

 PLATE XII. FIGURE V. 



THE Twite is to be met with chiefly in hilly and mountainous 

 districts, and is therefore very commonly called the Mountain Linnet. 

 In size it stands intermediate between the Common Linnet and the 

 Eedpole, and in general appearance it bears some resemblance to both 

 these birds; it may, however, be readily distinguished by its more 

 elongated and slender form, the tawny tint of its throat, and the 

 absence of the red colour on both the forehead and breast. 



This bird inhabits Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, but is said to 

 be rare in Russia. During the winter it visits Germany, France, and 

 even Italy, and is stated to be a permanent resident among the 

 Swiss Alps. It is also found in Japan, where, according to M. 

 Temminck, it is known by the name of Tuzume. It is plentiful 

 throughout the year in all the northern parts of the British Isles, 

 but is only a winter visitor to the southern counties of England. 



In its habits the Twite closely resembles the Linnet, with which it 

 sometimes associates during the winter, the individuals of both species 



