190 TREATISE ON 



der and expressive. Even in a cage, its little pipe 

 conveys to the mind the pleasant feeling that 

 the tiny captive is cheerful, contented, and happy. 

 It is therefore highly prized as a song-bird, and 

 there are some who think its notes equal to those 

 of our finest warblers. 



These birds are not only cheerful and docile in 

 their disposition, but social, and fond of society. 

 In summer they breed in numbers near each other 

 on the wilds and heaths ; and in winter they as- 

 semble in flocks of hundreds together, and con- 

 tinue so till they begin to pair in spring. In 

 autumn they frequent stubble-fields, and, if snow 

 is on the ground, they repair to farm-yards in 

 quest of food ; in their flights, they rise, wheel, 

 and alight, (as if by mutual consent,) on the same 

 field, hedge, or trees. They build their nests in 

 wild heathy places, or furzy brakes, amongst fields, 

 often near farm-houses and villages. This the 

 redpole never does, being a wild and shy bird. The 

 nest of the linnet is composed of bents mixed with 

 moss and wool, and neatly lined with white or 

 grey horse hair. The eggs, four or five in num- 

 ber, are of a reddish-white colour, speckled with 

 small spots of reddish-orange. The young may 

 foe taken after seven or eight days : they are easily 



