THE BIRD-LIFE OF LONDON 



on the outermost feathers ; the under parts are buff, 

 much darker on the flanks, nearly white on the abdomen 

 and under tail-coverts, and flushed with carmine on the 

 breast. Bill slate-grey ; tarsi and toes brown ; irides 

 brown. Length 51 inches. The female is more dingy 

 in colour than the male and wants the crimson on the 

 head and breast, and is streaked with dark brown on the 

 under parts. The nestling resembles the female in colour. 

 After the autumn moult much of the male's crimson flush 

 is concealed by the fringes to the feathers, but as spring 

 advances these disappear, and the colours also intensify. 

 The rosy tints of the male Linnet disappear in captivity. 



