THE COMMON LINNET. 



399 



tions of men, aud even building its nest within close proximity to houses 

 or gardens. When young the bird is fed almost wholly upon caterpil- 

 lars and various insects, and not until it has attained its full growth 

 does it try upon the hard seeds the large bill which has obtained for it 

 the title of Green Grosbeak. 



The nest of this bird is generally built rather later than is usual with 

 the Finches, and is seldom completed until May has fairly set in. Its 

 substance is not unlike that of the chaffinch, being composed of roots, 

 wool, moss, and feathers. It is not, however, so neatly made or so finely 

 woven together as the nest of that bird. The eggs are from three to 

 five in number, and the color is bluish white, covered at the larger end 

 with spots of brown and gray. 



Few birds are better known than the Common Linnet, although the 

 change of plumage to which it is subject in the different seasons of the 

 year has caused the same bird, 

 while in its winter plumage, to 

 be considered as distinct from the 

 same individual in its summer 

 dress. Except during the breed- 

 ing season the Linnets associate 

 in flocks, flying from spot to spot, 

 and feeding upon the seeds of va- 

 rious plants, evidently preferring 

 those of the thistle, dandelion, and 

 various cruciferous plants. 



The nest of this bird is strangely 

 variable in the positions which it 

 occupies, sometimes being placed 

 ,at a considerable height upon a 

 tree, and at other times built in 

 some bush quite close to the 

 ground, the latter being the usual 

 locality chosen by the bird. The 

 full number of the eggs is five, and the color is mostly blue, spotted 

 with dark brown and a rather faint and undecided purple. 



The summer plumage of the male bird is as follows : On the top of 

 the head the feathers are grayish brown at their base, but are tipped 

 with bright vermilion — a tint which contrasts well with the ashen gray- 

 brown of the face and back of the neck. The upper parts of the body 

 are warm chestnut, and the wing is black, excepting the narrower ex- 

 terior webs, which are white. The chin and throat are gray, the breast 

 bright red slightly dappled with brown, and the under portions of the 

 body are gray-brown, taking a yellowish tint on the flanks. The tail 

 is rather forked, and the feathers are black edged with white. 



Linnets {FringiUa cannabi 



ina). 



