150 BIRDS OF THE WEST OF SCOTLAND. 



siderable distance. The note of the Twite is much shriller than 

 that of the common linnet, and is readily distinguished even 

 when the two species are together. I have often been much inter- 

 ested in watching numerous companies of twites in North Uist 

 attracted during their flight to a bed of thistles or other plants, on 

 which they would perch after a few restless turns in the air before 

 alighting. They will then permit a very near approach, and never 

 fail to amuse any one taking time to observe their movements. 

 Keared for the most part in bleak and cheerless nurseries, the 

 twites of the Hebrides are hardy and active, and appear to delight 

 as much in a mass of useless growing weeds as do their allies in 

 the leafy groves of the south. Listen to the brisk and encourag- 

 ing chatter they sustain until they have exhausted the spot of its 

 supplies; a few more piping notes summon the whole flock to 

 order, and away they burst into the air with a shrill but joyous 

 cry, filling the air again with their strange music. 



On some parts of the mainland the Twite, although not quite 

 so abundant, is still numerous, extending from north to south. 

 Thus, in Sutherlandshire, it is the prevailing species of linnet, 

 while in many parts of Kirkcudbrightshire it is far from being 

 rare even in the breeding season. In the higher grounds of 

 Lanarkshire it breeds in some numbers, and is still more common 

 in winter. The city bird-fanciers catch occasionally as many as 

 twenty twites in a day. In the east of Scotland the species is 

 much less numerous than in the west; still it is well known in 

 rural districts, where it is called the " heather lintie." 



The following notes on this species have been sent to me by Mr 

 Elwes : " The Twite does not confine itself to heather when 

 choosing a situation for its nest, but often breeds in a bush or in 

 creepers against a garden wall. It also sometimes makes a nest 

 on the ground under a stone, and during the season of incubation 

 is extremely tame and familiar. The eggs are five or six in num- 

 ber, and I think that two broods are usually hatched in the year, 

 as I have found fresh eggs as late as July. In the summer it is 

 not difficult to distinguish the Twite from the common linnet, 

 which I have never seen in the Long Island, as it has not the 

 ruddy tints in the head and breast which are so conspicuous in 

 the other species. 



Mr Brown informs me, that on 17th May, 1870, he took three 

 twites' nests in Mr Macdonald's garden at Newton, North Uist; 



