24 BIRD-LIFE IN A SOUTHERN COUNTY. 



familiar birds of the gorse coverts is the Linnet. 

 Almost throughout the year this species may be 

 met with amongst them, especially those in the 

 immediate vicinity of the sea. Early in the spring 

 vast numbers of Linnets from winter quarters 

 more to the south-west of the county pass along 

 the coast districts of the South Hams on their way 

 to moorland and northern breeding haunts, and 



at this period the song of the males uttered in 



i 

 concert is very lively and engaging. Shortly after 



these flights have passed on the resident Linnets 

 may be seen in pairs, the males gay in their 

 carmine livery, looking very beautiful as they 

 deftly poise upon the topmost sprays of golden 

 bloom to warble a bridal song. In this area the 

 Linnet is always socially inclined, and numbers 

 of nests may be found amongst the same patch 

 of gorse by those possessing sufficient courage to 

 penetrate its prickly recesses. The Linnet is by 

 no means a shy or a timid bird, and often sits and 

 sings within a few feet of the passer-by, if dis- 

 turbed merely flitting along a pace or so and 

 resuming its song. Then in autumn we may 

 find the migratory individuals returning with their 

 young ; whilst even in winter the dark furze is 



