78 WILD NATURE IN STRATHEARN. 



of the Hedge-Accentor proclaims we are on 

 earth once more. The "Bluey's" song is short, 

 lively, and sweet. The Hedge-Accentor or Hedge- 

 Sparrow is one of those birds that pays no 

 attention to its neighbours : it neither fights or 

 gossips. 



Of the smaller birds there are none to ap- 

 proach the Linnet (Fringilla Cannabina) the 

 Lintie of the Scottish poets for song. 



" I waudna gie the Lintie's sang 



Sae merry on the broomy lea, 

 For a' the notes that ever rang 



From a' the harps o' minstrelsie. 

 Mair dear to me where buss or breer 



Amang the pathless heather grows 

 The Lintie's wild sweet note I hear, 



As on the ev'nin' breeze it flows." 



The Lintie is a bird of sombre colours, the only 

 bright spot being the red on the head of the 

 old cocks, hence the term Red or Rose Lintie. 

 A whinny knowe or muir is the place to find 

 these birds, and to hear their merry, clear song 

 when a number are gathered together in the 

 autumn perched on a tree is to listen to a bird 



