268 FRINGILLID.E. 



for the borders of the sea-shore unaffected by cultivation, where 

 many hundreds may often be seen associated together. The seeds 

 of different species of mouse-ear chick-weed (Cerastium) are 

 favourite food. So early as the 10th of July, I once saw several 

 flocks, some containing fifty individuals, on the marine sand-hills 

 at Portrush, near the Giant' s Causeway : one of these birds which 

 fed within six paces of me was regaling on the seed of a dandelion, 

 which it extracted with great rapidity ; on rising from the ground 

 its call was uttered and repeated for some time on the wing.* 

 The following note was made on September the 21st : — For some 

 time past, I have daily seen flocks of from two to three hun- 

 dred grey linnets about the rocks at the sea-side near Bangor, 

 county of Down. As they were perched to-day, which was 

 very fine, on low rocks whose bases were washed by the sea, 

 they kept up a pleasing concert, reminding me of that produced 

 by an assembled multitude of redwings (Turdus Iliacus), on fine 

 days in the early spring. At the end of April, I have seen the 

 grey linnet perched on the top of Fucics-covered stones, — the legi- 

 timate haunt of the rock pipit, — singing most vigorously, though 

 whin-covered rocks, its favourite resort, were quite contiguous. 

 I have met with this bird in the month of June when visiting low 

 rocky islets in the sea, the breeding-haunts of terns (Sternce). 

 Occasionally in autumn as well as spring; the true song of the 

 linnet may be heard trilled forth by individuals which form part 

 of a large flock. 



To witness a number of grey linnets feeding is a very pleasing 

 sight. Several may be seen in different attitudes, busied in extracting 

 the seed from a single thistle or ragweed, winch all the while keeps 

 moving to and fro with their weight. The ear is at the same 

 time gratified with their lively call, which is constantly uttered by 

 one or more of the party. When two or three are engaged on 

 the petty surface of a ragweed-top, and others fly to it, some of 

 the first comers, apparently on the principle, that the world is wide 



* In this respect the lesser redpole is said by Mr. Selby to differ from the grey 

 linnet, which lie considers to be silent on the wing, but in the north of Ireland there 

 is not this distinction between the species. 



