THE LINNET. 257 



sweet singers of the north, both of these names frequently occur, 

 as thus : 



" I waldna gie the Lintie's sang 



Sae merry on the broomy lea, 

 For a' the notes that ever rang 



From a' the harps o' minstrelsie. 

 Mair dear to me, where buss or breer 



Amang the pathless heather grows, 

 The Lintie's wild sweet note to hear, 



As on the ev'nin' breeze it flows." 



MUDIE says of this well-known and favourite songster, which 

 is by some called the Greater Redpole Finch : " The Linnet 

 (for, notwithstanding the manv names of the bird, that is perhaps 

 its most appropriate, because its most general one) is partially a 

 migrant within the country, though the sexes do not separate in 

 the same decided manner as the Chaffinches. During the incle- 

 ment season the birds resort to the lower grounds, especially to 

 those near the sea-shore. They appear in considerable flocks ; 

 the young birds appear earliest, then the females, and lastly, the 

 mature males, which may be said to be the order of movement 

 with all autumnal birds, how limited soever may be the distance 

 to which they migrate. 



******** 



" Linnets inhabit a little higher, or more inland, more into the 

 open wilds, than Chaffinches ; and they prefer the closest low 

 bushes for their nesting places. Their general distribution, how- 

 ever, renders that species of accommodation not always acces- 

 sible ; and hence the nests are sometimes found in garden-bushes, 

 in hedges, or in low bushy trees. The nest is composed externally 

 of dry leaves and fibres, mixed with wool or hair, and lined with 

 the same, or with feathers. The eggs are from four to six, of a 

 dingy blueish white, with short lines and numerous specks of 

 flesh-colour. There are usually two broods in the season ; the 

 first hatch taking place in May, and the second in July : but if 

 any casualty occurs, the female will continue breeding till August. 



" Linnets are birds of very gentle dispositions, easily tamed, 

 and capable of very considerable attachment to those who feed 

 and attend them ; if taken young, the males can be taught to 

 sing ; but the females have no song, and the old males do not 

 utter their note. The young, however, may be made to imitate 

 the songs of several other birds : and there have been instances 

 in which they have been brought to articulate a few words." 



It seems probable that the term Linnet is derived from the 

 fondness of this bird for the seeds of the flax plant (Linum pe- 

 renne). "Except during the breeding season," says YABBELL, 



