iS2 THE BIRDS OF THE WOODS 



which towards the finish sounds like a stocking-frame at work, is sung on the wing 

 during the curious, bat-like flight. Breeding begins in April, the nest being built on 

 some tall conifer ; firs are preferred to pines, and those are chosen that grow near 

 water, the nest being generally placed at the end of a long lateral branch, rarely 

 less than 30 feet from the ground, and often twice or thrice as high. Unless 

 its position is betrayed by the courting flight of the male bird, the nest is very 

 difficult to find. There are two broods in the year ; the young are fed at first 

 with a pasty matter obtained from small, soft insects, and afterwards with seeds 

 which the parents soften in their throats and then disgorge. Later on they are 

 taken to the woods and taught to catch insects for themselves. The siskin 

 generally breeds in the northern districts of its range, which extends over the 

 whole of Europe and northern Asia to the far east. In Europe it breeds up 

 to the limit of the fir-forests, and in winter migrates to the Mediterranean countries, 

 including even the Grecian Archipelago. In France these birds appear at the 

 time of vintage, and leave again when the trees bud. Never remaining long in 

 any place where there is want of food, the siskin commences to migrate in August, 

 and in March and April settles down again in its nesting-place. It is about 

 4i inches long, and may be recognised by the yellow bases of the five outermost 

 tail-feathers, as well as by the blackish streaks on the flanks, and the two 

 irregular yellow wing-bars due to the yellow-tipped wing-coverts, and likewise 

 by all the primaries being yellow on the inner webs, those from the fourth to the 

 last but one having yellow bases. 



The linnet (Linota cannabina) avoids the shady depths of the 

 forest, preferring the borders, and particularly those places where 

 young conifers abound, but also resorting to thorn-bushes bordering cornfields 

 and meadows, tree-plantations with underwood and hedges, as well as enclosures 

 with a few trees, and currant and gooseberry bushes. On the Continent it is lound 

 in Wiirtemberg in hill}' districts; in Holland often on islands in the sea, on which 

 a few bushes grow, and sometimes also in quarries, provided there are at least a 

 few trees and bushes ; while in England it occurs everywhere among gorse, and 

 during autumn and winter near the sea, and wherever there are stubble-fields. 

 From their nesting-places, which are screened more or less by trees and bushes, 

 linnets journey to the open fields to feed, sometimes to' a great distance, and in 

 autumn flock with others of their kind arriving from their migrations. The 

 linnet is an active, companionable bird, which in the daytime perches openly on 

 the tops of bushes and trees or in conspicuous positions ; it hops about on the ground 

 in rapid jumps, carrying its breast very high, and is always on good terms with 

 its kindred. 



Linnets feed on soft seeds, especially flax and hemp and other small 

 kinds containing oil, but do not despise berries and the tender shoots of young 

 plants. The song, which is strong, characteristic, and continuous, and may be 

 heard almost throughout the year, even in winter when there is a little sunshine, 

 frequently contains selections from the melodies of other birds, which make 

 the linnet so popular in captivity. Linnets pair for life, seeking in March 

 a nesting-place, if possible the same they occupied the previous year. The nest 

 ma}' be in a variety of situations, such as at the edge of a mountain-forest, among 



