554 FRINGILLID.E. 



intermixed ; belly and under tail-coverts pale wood-brown ; 

 the flanks darker yellowish brown ; the under surface of 

 the tail-feathers when spread out exhibits a series of grey 

 and white longitudinal bars ; legs, toes, and claws, brown. 



The whole length of the bird five inches and three-quar- 

 ters. From the carpal joint to the end of the wing-feathers, 

 three inches and one-eighth ; the first three quill-feathers 

 nearly equal in length, but the first rather the longest ; the 

 fourth feather one quarter of an inch shorter than the third. 



In autumn and winter these birds have no red colour on 

 the head or breast ; the beak is brownish horn colour ; the 

 feathers of the head, cheeks, and ear-coverts, dark brown, 

 with lighter greyish brown edges ; back, wings, and tail- 

 coverts, dark brown, the margin of each feather being 

 lighter in colour, but with less of the rich chestnut colour 

 observed in summer ; quill and tail-feathers as in winter ; 

 throat, breast, belly, and under tail-coverts, pale wood- 

 brown, with conspicuous longitudinal streaks of dark brown 

 on the breast. 



Males do not in confinement acquire the fine red colour 

 which pervades the breast of a mature wild bird ; and a fe- 

 male has been taken bearing a fine red breast, but this is not 

 generally the case. The particular plumage, however, as- 

 sumed during the breeding season by many species being a 

 periodical indication of constitutional and sexual vigour is 

 borne in degree by both sexes. 



The female Linnet is a little smaller than the male, and 

 has the upper surface of the body rather lighter in colour, 

 and more varied with dark brown patches; the under sur- 

 face of the body slightly tinged with rufous, and streaked 

 with brown. 



Young birds resemble the females, and have the breast, 

 belly, and flanks, streaked longitudinally with brown. 



