PASSERINE BIRDS. 1 23 



to descend, the bird wheels around in circles, and often almost touches the earth whilst on the wing, 

 then rises again into the air, and continues its flight for some distance before settling. It hops nimbly 

 over the ground, and, when singing in the trees, is usually perched upon the topmost branch, or 

 on a projecting twig. Its voice may be heard from March to August, and the young sing from the 

 time of their moulting in the autumn all through the bright winter days of November and December. 

 The young male easily learns to imitate the notes of other birds, but forgets them after a few 

 repetitions. We have heard a Brown Linnet that could perfectly imitate the song of the Chaffinch, 

 and another that exactly copied the notes of the Siskin. Naumann mentions instances of its 

 having even learnt the song of the Goldfinch, Lark, and Nightingale. This species begins its 

 preparation for building, early in April, and breeds two or three rimes within the year. Its favourite 

 nesting-place is among short brushwood, at no great distance from the ground. The nest is built 

 externally of twigs, fibrous roots, and blades of grass, within which is a second layer more carefully 

 constructed, but composed of the same materials, and this again is lined with wool and a little horse- 

 hair. The brood consists of from four to five eggs of a whitish-blue colour, marked with a few reddish 

 spots ; the female sits for thirteen days, after which time the young are most assiduously tended by 

 both parents until they leave the nest, the last brood always remaining under supervision for a 

 longer period than their predecessors. Whilst the female is sitting she is cheered by the song of the 

 male, who usually perches on a neighbouring tree. Unlike the Chaffinches, these birds live peaceably 

 together during the breeding season, the males often taking little excursions in company, or they 

 will perch and sing together, not out of rivalry but in harmony with each other. The following 

 account is given of the proceedings of a pair of these little songsters that had made their home close 

 to a house : — " The nestlings who, when discovered, had just left the shell, remained perfectly quiet in 

 their snug abode, even when expecting or receiving their food, but were no sooner fledged than they 

 at once began to try the power of their wings, continuing these efforts during an entire evening with 

 so much success, that before break of day they had finally left the nest. They remained for some time 

 close at hand upon the thickly-foliaged trees, and then, accompanied by their parents, quitted the spot. 

 These birds were a source of great pleasure to us, as, contrary to the usual habits of the species, they 

 did not leave off feeding when we approached, even if accompanied by several people. The time 

 that elapsed between the different meals given to the young was not more than twelve or sixteen 

 minutes ; when feeding them the parents would perch upon a tree close at hand, gently utter their 

 call-note, and then flutter towards the nest, which was always approached from the same side. Each 

 young bird was fed in turn, the male commencing operations ; when both he and his mate had emptied 

 their crops into the gaping beaks of their progeny, they flew away to obtain a fresh supply. The 

 female but once came back alone, and only on that occasion did she take the precedence of her mate 

 in feeding the brood. Every morning before leaving the nest die mother carefully arranged and 

 cleaned her little domicile, and instead of throwing out what she cleared away, swallowed it, and spit 

 it out again at some distance from the nest. We never observed the male bird assist in this 

 business except once, and have no doubt that the precaution exercised by the mother was intended 

 to prevent any trace of her brood from being discovered." The Brown Linnets but seldom leave their 

 progeny, and will continue to feed them long after they have been placed in a cage. Bird-fanciers 

 often take advantage of this, and we have never known a case in which the parents under such 

 circumstances have neglected to provide for the wants of their offspring, so that die old birds may 

 frequently be enticed farther and farther from their breeding place by the gradual removal of die cage 

 to a distance. This manner of feeding the young has, however, its disadvantages, as they remain 

 wild and shy for a much longer period than if brought up by hand. 



