33 



by no means uncommon, and is generally distributed. Mr. Robert Gray says that it is also found 

 on the Outer Hebrides, and that it inhabits the islands of Lewis and Harris, and also North Uist 

 and Benbecula. Mr. J. A. Harvie-Brown says that he has met with Linnets on several occasions 

 in the west of Sutherlandshire, but that it is by no means a common species there, and it does 

 not occur in Shetland. In Ireland it is resident, and is stated by Thompson to be one of the 

 commonest of the small birds inhabiting that island. 



In Scandinavia it is common, and is, Mr. Collett informs me, numerous in the lower portions 

 of Norway from Christiansand to the Trondhjems fiord, but has not been with certainty known 

 to occur above 64° N. lat. It is especially common along the coast, where it inhabits dry shores 

 overgrown with juniper bushes and a dense growth of Berberis, Crataegus, and Rosa ; but in the 

 interior it is very rare, or else wanting. It arrives in Norway late in March or about the 1st of 

 April ; and in mild winters a few individuals remain on the open portions of the fiords, but most 

 leave the country in October. 



Nilsson says that it is a common species in the south of Sweden, but does not range above 

 Gestrikland. Most of those which breed in Sweden leave in the winter ; but a few remain and 

 spend the cold season in the south of Sweden. In Finland it is also a southern species, being 

 found, Von Wright says, as far north only as St. Michel, and occasionally up to Kuopio ; as in 

 Sweden, it is, as a rule, only a summer visitant ; but some few remain over winter. Mr. Sabanaeff 

 informs me that it is common in Central Russia, especially in the Smolensk and Tula Govern- 

 ments. Bogdanoff says that it only ranges into the southern portions of the Simbirsk Govern- 

 ment ; but I am assured on good authority that it is occasionally found as far north as Archangel. 

 Sabanaeff also says that it breeds in the Orloff Government. In the Ural he met with it on the 

 western slope commonly, but is uncertain if it breeds in the Shadrinsk district. On the Kama, 

 Teplouhoff found it common in 58J° N. lat. 



Throughout the whole of North Germany it is found in some abundance, being, Borggreve 

 states, a summer visitant in the north-eastern portions of the territory, and a partial migrant in 

 the west. Kjaerbolling states that it is common and resident in Denmark, migrating southward 

 only in very cold winters ; and in Holland it is found, Mr. H. M. Labouchere informs me, in 

 the southern provinces, as well as on the dunes, but does not breed in the low-lying portions of 

 the country. In Belgium also it breeds only in the hilly portions of the country, but vast flocks 

 visit the plains in the autumn and the commencement of the winter ; and in France it is found 

 during the spring and autumn migrations in the greater part of the country, and breeds in 

 Lorraine, Anjou, Provence, Brittany, and other provinces. Professor Barboza du Bocage speaks 

 of it as being common in Portugal ; and in Spain, Colonel Irby says (Orn. Str. Gibr. p. 121), " it 

 is plentiful, especially during the winter months; great numbers remain to breed, nesting in 

 April, mostly in scrub on the sides of the hills." In Savoy it is common and resident, nesting 

 high up in the mountains : and in Italy it is, to some extent, resident ; for some few remain to 

 breed, whereas the larger number arrive in the autumn. Mr. A. B. Brooke says (Ibis, 1873, 

 p. 247) that in Sardinia he found it " common at all times, but more numerous during winter." 

 Mr. C. Bygrave Wharton gives the same information respecting its occurrence in Corsica ; and 

 it is also said by Mr. C. A. Wright to occur frequently in Malta. In Southern Germany it is 

 common and generally distributed, and is found throughout the Danubian Principalities and 



