EUROPEAN FINCHES. 53 



Rose Linnet, or Greater Redpole, the Mountain 

 Linnet, or Twite, are the selfsame bird, and not 

 distinct species. There are, first, the year old 

 bird, or more, the Gray Linnet, (gray.) Second, 

 the Rose Linnet, or greater Redpole, (top of the 

 head and breast red,) two years old, or more. 

 Third, the Mountain Linnet, or Twite, (the red 

 changed to yellow,) three years old or more. 



The following are some of the reasons which 

 have led me to the above conclusion, although I 

 am aware that it conflicts with some high au- 

 thorities on this subject. The eggs of the three 

 are alike ; the nests, likewise, if the same ma- 

 terial can be procured by the birds. The loca- 

 tion is, in general, the same. The nest of the 

 Gray Linnet, and the Mountain Linnet, have both 

 been found in a furze bush. The song is the 

 same, only the Mountain, or Yellow Linnet is 

 superior. It is the oldest bird, therefore the best 

 songster. 



FOOD. Feed them on a mixture of Canary 

 and rape seed, half of each, with occasionally a 

 little hemp. They take but little exercise in 

 the cage, therefore must be fed sparingly. Plenty 

 of gravel, and water to wash, and lettuce, or cab- 

 bage freely. 



