8O WILD NATURE IN STRATHEARN. 



Red Linnet, except in colour of throat and 

 bill, is the Heather Linnet, or Mountain 

 Linnet, often called the Twite. The Heather 

 Lintie's song, while melodious, low, and sweet, 

 has not the variety of notes of the Red Lintie. 

 The Greenfinch, which fraternises with the 

 Linties in autumn, has not much of a song, 

 although there are those who hear music in it. 

 The Whinchat's song is weak but pleasant, and 

 it sings late in the evening ; and the restless 

 Stonechat gives voice to a monotonous whistle. 

 We have both the Bullfinch and Goldfinch 

 breeding close to us. The former is rather 

 plentiful, but the latter is somewhat scarce. 

 I rather like the notes of the Goldfinch, although 

 disjointed. The " finck, finck," after the twitter- 

 ing notes, are peculiar, but to me most pleasing. 

 The Bullfinch has a low, soft, mellow song, 

 but you require to be near to hear it, and in 

 confinement it is capable of being taught to 

 whistle a variety of tunes. Both birds are 

 admired for their lovely plui 



