FEINGILLID^E. 93 



v 



THE MOUNTAIN LINNET, OB TWITE. Linaria montana. 

 The northern parts of Britain are the breeding-places of 

 this species in our country, and the situations chosen for 

 the nest are bushes of furze or heath. The nest and eggs re- 

 semble those of the last-named species. On the Continent 

 it is most abundant in the northern countries, but extends 

 its migrations southward as far as Italy. (PI. VIII. fig. 50.) 



THE LESSER EEDPOLE. Linaria minor. The nest of 

 the Lesser Eedpole, which is found in the northern and 

 midland counties of Britain, is said to be an elegant little 

 structure, composed of moss and the down of the willow- 

 catkins, which generally furnishes the lining of the nest. 

 The eggs, from four to six in number, are pale bluish-green, 

 spotted at the thicker end with orange-brown, and occa- 

 sionally streaked with a darker colour. This little bird is 

 remarkably confiding and docile, and indeed is so tame that 

 it will eat immediately after capture. The male and female 

 are also strongly attached to each other, caressing each 

 other with their bills, and manifesting by various blandish- 

 ments their mutual affection. 



NORTHERN EEDPOLE. Linaria borealis. This bird is 

 regarded as a straggling visitor to our islands, and in man- 

 ners is believed to resemble the Lesser Eedpole ; but of its 

 breeding habits we are ignorant, although from description 



