264 CLASS AVES. 



There are some accidental varieties of the linnet, as for in- 

 stance, some entirely albino individuals ; others, which have 

 only the head, wings, and tail, white. On others, white is 

 the predominant colour, but the alar and caudal quills are 

 black, edged with white, and some vestiges of grey on the 

 wing-coverts. 



The male neither partakes of the labour of constructing the 

 nest, nor of that of incubation, but employs himself in several 

 little attentions to the female, brings her food, which he dis- 

 gorges, like tlie canary, cheers the monotony of her situation, 

 by an agreeable song, incessantly repeated during the time of 

 hatching, and watches for her safety. When any thing oiFen- 

 sive appears, he puts forth a plaintive cry, flutters from bush 

 to bush, removes for a moment, but only to re-appear directly. 

 The more his companion is approached, the more his cries re- 

 double. Then the female, warned by his complaints, and 

 pressed by danger, quits the nest. Both she and the male 

 fly away, and do not return for an hour ; but when the eggs 

 are ready to open, they return sooner. Both parents exhibit 

 much affection for their young. They nourish them with 

 tender seeds, prepared in their crop, and disgorged by the 

 bill. These linnets have usually two or three broods, and 

 sometimes four, if the first be disturbed. After hatching time, 

 they assemble in immerous flocks, quit the high countries, 

 and descend into the plains. It is at this time that snares 

 are laid for them, and they are caught in great numbers. As 

 these birds soon grow fat, when they have abundant aliment, 

 their flesh acquires a savour which makes it in request in 

 some countries, especially in the southern provinces of France. 

 From this circumstance they have received, in Provence, the 

 name of hec-figue dliiver. 



Montbeillard observes, that there is a great analogy between 

 the linnet and the canary, and he is right. Their habits and 

 nature are extremely similar, and of all birds the linnet is 



