LINNET 



Ltnota cannabina 



'MONO the commons and uncultivated lands throughout the 

 British Islands the Linnet is a fairly abundant species. 

 Its distribution is somewhat more restricted during the 

 breeding season than at other times, but it breeds in 

 almost every suitable locality, even on the wild Hebri- 

 dean islands, where it nests in the heather. In Shetland, 

 however, it seems to be only a rare visitor. 



The Linnet is a well-known cage-bird, immense numbers being netted by 

 the birdcatchers, who easily find a market for a bird of such pleasing song 

 and tame disposition. The favourite haunts of the Linnet are the commons 

 and whin-covered ground near the moors ; but in winter it frequents the 

 stubbles and grass-fields, and it often takes up its quarters in some garden 

 near a stackyard. During winter the birds are gregarious, and resort to the 

 stubbles in flocks, searching for their food on the ground. At this season their 

 habits can be most easily observed ; they are not very shy, and fly off together 

 to the tops of the nearest trees, where they keep up a twittering chorus till 

 they deem it safe to return to their feeding-grounds. Sometimes a flock will 

 wheel round and round in the air with great rapidity, anon hovering in the 

 air a moment before alighting again. The flight of the Linnet is undulating 

 and very rapid, and it usually utters a sharp l yik-yik-yik* as it flies. On 

 the ground it hops about with ease, and clings to stems of thistles, docks, 

 and other weeds, almost as well as a Tit 



The food of the Linnet is chiefly composed of seeds of various kinds. 

 Except in very hard weather it does not feed much on grain although it is 

 often seen on newly-sown corn-fields, but it eats the seeds of weeds such as 

 thistles, docks, nettles, dandelions, etc., many of which are very troublesome 

 to the farmer. It is also very fond of hemp, and other seeds of that kind. 

 During summer insects are no doubt also devoured. 

 VOL. rv. K 37 



