LINNET. INSESSORES. LINARIA. 317 



where it is abundant. During the summer it resorts to 

 waste lands and commons, in the upper parts of the country, 

 where it breeds. 



The nest is generally built in furze, if convenient, or in Nest, &c. 

 some other low bush, and is formed of moss and stalks of 

 grass interwoven with wool, and lined with hair and feathers. 

 The eggs are four or five in number, of a bluish-white, 

 speckled with purplish-red colour. In winter these birds 

 assemble in very large flocks, and descend to the sea-coasts, 

 where they continue to reside till spring again urges them to 

 pair, and seek their upland haunts. They feed upon the Food, 

 smaller class of seeds, as of the flax, thistle, dandelion, &c., 

 and particularly on those of the cruciform plants. 



The song of the Linnet, although short, possesses much 

 sweetness ; and its owner is, on this account, frequently kept 

 in a state of confinement. 



PLATE 45. Fig. 3. Male bird, in the summer plumage, and 



of the natural size. 



Bill deep bluish-grey ; not so much compressed towards General 

 the point as that of Linaria minor. Forehead and 

 breast of a bright carmine-red. Throat and under 

 part of the neck yellowish-white, streaked with brown. 

 Crown of the head, nape and sides of the neck, bluish- 

 grey; in many instances varied with a few darker 

 streaks. Back, scapulars, and wing- coverts, chestnut- 

 brown, with the margins of the feathers palest. Flanks 

 pale brownish-red. Middle of th B belly and the vent 

 greyish-white. Quill-feathers black, with more or less 

 white on the basal-half of their webs, and forming a 

 distinct bar across the wings, when closed. Tail con- 

 siderably forked, with the two middle feathers wholly 

 black, and pointed ; the rest black, margined both on 

 their inner and outer webs with white. Legs and toes 

 brown. 



In younger individuals, the red upon the breast and head 

 is not so pure in tint, nor to the same extent as in the 



