198 TREATISE ON 



TWITE, 



OR MOUNTAIN LINNET^ 



FRINGILLA MONTIUM; GMEL. LINARIA MONTANA,- 



BRIS. LA LINOTTE DES MONTAGNES; BUFFON. 



These bii'ds are the wildest of the genus. They 

 are more shy than even the greater redpole. The 

 most solitary fells and moors, and the bases of 

 mountains remote from the habitations of man, 

 are their usual haunts ; and there they build their 

 nests : But, like the redpoles, migrate southward in 

 winter. In spring and summer they are found a* 

 mong the hills, and mid heaths, and moors, along 

 the Scottish and English borders. The nest is. 

 formed of heath and dry grass, and lined with 

 down and feathers : And the eggs are of a pale 

 bluish-green colour, inclining to white, and sprink- 

 led with spots of chestnut-brown. This bird i& 

 managed in every respect as the grey-linnet. 



Description and Plumage. 



Length five inches, — ^bill short, thick, and of a 

 pale flesh-red, inclining to reddish- white, — nostrils. 



