570 FRINGILLID^!. 



the year. There is, however, a tinge of red on the rump of 

 the male in summer, and in the general character of the 

 plumage of both sexes there is considerable similarity to 

 that of the other species of the genus. This bird is a 

 winter visitor only to the southern parts of England, where 

 it is generally seen in small flocks, with other Linnets ; but 

 it breeds in the northern parts of England, in Scotland, 

 and in the western as well as the northern Scottish Islands 

 every season. 



The Mountain Linnet, as its name would imply, prefers 

 high hills and mountains, or, at least, an interchange of 

 moor and fell. Dr. Latham sent Colonel Montagu a nest 

 and eggs taken in Yorkshire ; and according to Mr. 

 Neville Wood, this bird breeds also in some parts of Staf- 

 fordshire and in Derbyshire, exhibiting its partiality to the 

 higher grounds. This is probably about the southern limit 

 of its breeding ground in this country. 



Mr. Thompson says it is not uncommon in certain locali- 

 ties in Ireland. Mr. Macgillivray states that it " is plenti- 

 ful in the Hebrides, and in winter frequer is the corn-yards 

 in large flocks, clinging to the stacks of oats, and picking- 

 out the seeds. Its flight is rapid and undulated, and it 

 wheels over the fields previous to alighting, uttering a soft 

 twitter at intervals. When disturbed it betakes itself to tall 

 trees, or to a distant field ; but is not shy, and may therefore 

 be easily approached when feeding. In spring it forsakes 

 its winter haunts, and disperses over the hilly tracks, where 

 it forms its nest on the ground, among short heath, or on 

 the grassy slopes of craggy spots. It is neatly constructed, 

 being composed externally of fine dry grass, fragments of 

 heath, and a little moss, internally of fibrous roots, wool, 

 and hair. The eggs are bluish white, marked towards the 

 larger end with light brown and purplish red, sometimes 

 with a few blackish dots." 



