NATURES CHOIR. 79 



concert. They will sing for a long time if not 

 disturbed. Their notes consist of "Weke, weke," 

 " Wike, wike," " Wake, wake," frequently repeated. 

 That makes their song, which varies from the 

 plaintive to the gay, with a mellow tone and 

 masterly execution. They have a beautiful call- 

 note, which bird-catchers know well. The Lintie 

 is a favourite cage-bird, and large numbers are 

 caught every winter and sold for that purpose. 

 Once they settle down after being caught and 

 confined they make a good cage-bird, and seem 

 to thrive in confinement, for I have seen one 

 fourteen years old, or rather it was that time 

 since it was caught. They are fond of the 

 seeds of the wild mustard (Sinapsis Arvensis), 

 or what the farmers call "scaillies." The Lintie 

 is a late breeder, and in autumn gathers in flocks, 

 frequenting farm-steadings. In winter many of 

 them fall a prey to the bird-catcher. 



The Red Lintie is often used to cross with 

 Canaries and Goldfinches to produce " mules." 

 A little less in size, but much resembling the 



