50 



usually near (but sometimes at some distance from) water ; and the nest is generally placed in a 

 bush or low tree in a coppice or small plantation, or in the hilly districts amongst the brush- 

 wood that skirts the flanks of the mountains or covers the margins of the streams in the rugged 

 dells. The nest of this bird is exceedingly neatly and skilfully constructed of dry bents inter- 

 mixed with wool and moss, lined with wool, vegetable down (chiefly that from the catkins of the 

 willow), hair, or feathers. Compared with that of Linota linaria it appears very small. One in 

 my collection, from Scotland, measures 2 - 8 inches in outside diameter and 1*8 in height, the cup 

 measuring 1*75 in diameter by 1 inch in depth. It is neatly constructed of dark-coloured bents, 

 intermixed with wool and a few hairs, and is lined with white wool as well as a few white and 

 black horsehairs. The eggs, from four to six in number, are usually deposited early in May. In 

 colour and shape they resemble those of Linota linaria, but are smaller in size, those in my 

 collection measuring only f-§ by f-§ to f§ by f-J inch. 



The specimens figured are an adult male in full summer dress, and a young bird in its first 

 autumn plumage, both of which are in my collection. 



In the preparation of the above article I have examined the following specimens : — 



E Mus. H. E. Dresser. 



a, b, g . Hampstead, Middlesex, October 14th, 1869. c. Hampstead, October 27th, 1869. d. Hampstead, 

 November 11th, 1869. e, 8. Hampstead, April 20th, 1870. f,juv. Hampstead (Davy), g. Woolwich, 

 February ( Whitely) . h. Hampstead, October [Davy) . 



E Mus. Salvin and Godman. 

 a, d , b,2 . Cambridge (O. Salvin). 



E Mus. Cantabr. 



a. Worcestershire, 1828. b, 6 . Worcestershire, April, 1834. c, $ ■ Worcestershire, May 12th, 1837 

 (Strickland) . 



E Mus. J. Hancock. 

 a, (J, b, c, ? . Oatlands, December 8th, 1875. d. May 1876, caught at the nest (T. Thompson). 



