242



The Linnet as a Songster.



checked by constitutional selection, will account for the phe¬

nomena both of sexual and the so-called warning colouration ;

any species, or either sex of a species, which can get away by

reason of possessing exceptional courage or unpleasant attributes,

from the pressure of selection by enemies or rivals—be success¬

ful, in fact, naturally tends to break out into striking colours,

only limited by the particular constitution to which the various

hues are allied.



THE LINNET AS A SONGSTER.


By David Bentley.


Of all the British hardbills I have kept, the Linnet in my

opinion takes the lead for song. Here, in Lancashire, where

singing contests take place for quality singing, you will find

some of the best birds. In Blackburn there is a Linnet Society

with a large number of members, and during the season many

singing competitions are held ; some of the open contests being

attended by fanciers from Wigan, Leeds, Chester and other

distant places.


Good birds are very scarce, and are, therefore, very valu¬

able, both as schoolmasters for young birds and also as contest

singers. One fact worth noticing is that the older a good bird

gets the better he sings. One of the best Linnets in this district

was still in grand form when thirteen years old, and a good

price was refused for it then. Another I knew was twenty-five

years old, and is still taking part in singing contests. My present

favourite has been caged over seven years and is still in the best

of health and song.


Preference is given here by Linnet keepers to birds caught

in the Fylde District and round about Lancaster, and I must

say that I have never been able to get any better bird for song

from any other part of England.


Linnets in captivity do not often take up the notes of

other species, but are quick to learn from one another, and so

good birds must be kept away from inferior ones or their song

would soon depreciate, although, if good ones only are kept

together, there is a chance of their improving each other, and



