188 LINNET, 
L. fringillirostris or L. bella. In winter one or both visit Egypt 
and Abyssinia. 
Breeding begins about the middle of April; the nest being made 
of fine twigs, moss and grass-stalks, and lined with wool, hair, 
vegetable-down and sometimes a few feathers. It is generally 
placed in gorse or juniper bushes, though often in hedges, and 
sometimes in low trees. The eggs, 4~6 in number, are bluish- 
white, blotched, speckled and streaked with reddish-brown and 
purplish-red : measurements ‘7 by ‘53 in. ‘Two broods are often 
reared in the season. The food consists of soft seeds, especially those 
of an oily nature, as in the case of the various species of flax and 
hemp; grains of charlock, knot-grass, and other weeds are also 
largely consumed ; while in winter various kinds of berries and even 
oats are devoured. In autumn the different families unite in large 
flocks, which may be seen crossing the stubbles with swift dipping 
flight, uttering their musical and rapidly-repeated fiw/7, ¢zwit. At this 
season large numbers are taken by bird-catchers, as the prisoners 
then adapt themselves more easily to captivity than if captured in 
the spring. The natural song is sweet, although somewhat irregular, 
but it is the capacity for learning the notes of other species which 
, makes the Linnet so great a favourite for the cage. In our cold, 
dull climate, captive males seldom acquire in spring the fine crim- 
son tints on the head and breast; but abroad, under the influence 
of warmth, bright sunshine and good food, Mr. J. Young has 
known them do so, while in Madeira the wild males appear to 
undergo hardly any eclipse. 
The adult male in breeding-plumage has the forehead and centre 
of the crown crimson; rest of the head, nape and sides of the neck 
mottled brownish-grey ; mantle chestnut brown; wing-feathers dull 
black, with white,outer edges which form a conspicuous elongated 
bar ; upper tail-coverts dark brown, with broad whitish margins ; 
tail-feathers black, narrowly edged with white on the outer and 
broadly on the inner web ; chin and throat dull white, striped with 
‘greyish-brown ; breast crimson, occasionally with a decided yellow 
tinge ; belly dull white; flanks fawn-brown ; bill horn-colour, legs 
brown. Length 5°5; wing 3°15 in. In autumn the bill is brownish, 
the crimson feathers are concealed by wide grey margins, and the 
under parts are more striated. The female is rather smaller and 
duller in colour, with no crimson on the head and breast, and little 
white on the wings, while both upper and under parts are much 
streaked with dark brown. The young at first resemble the female. 
