BIRDS OF THE GARDEN AND ORCHARD. 17 



Nuttall ; but I have not been able to test the truth of it 

 by my own observation. The greater number utter only 

 a few strains, resembling the notes of the Brigadier. 

 These are constantly repeated during the greater part of 

 the day. The song usually consists of four or five strains, 

 very much alike ; but when the bird is animated he mul- 

 tiplies his notes ad libitwm, varying the modulation only 

 by greater emphasis. I have not observed that the Lin- 

 net is more prone to sing in the morning and evening 

 than at any other hour. 



The Linnet is a somewhat eccentric bird in his ways. 

 He is usually high up in an elm or other tall tree when 

 he sings, and almost out of sight, like the Brigadier. 

 Hence he is as often heard in the elms in the city as 

 in the country. He sings according to no rules, at no 

 particular hour of the day, with but little regard to sea- 

 son, and utters notes that are wholly wanting in precision. 

 His song is without a theme, and seems to be a sort of 

 fantasia. He may often be seen sitting on a fence war- 

 bling with ecstasy and keeping his wings in rapid vibra- 

 tion all the while. He is also regardless of the mischief 

 he may do. He feeds upon the flower-buds of the elm 

 and then upon those of the pear-tree, thus damaging our 

 gardens and keeping himself at a safe distance from the 

 angry horticulturist after he has concluded his feast. 



I have seen the Linnet frequently in confinement, 

 which he very cheerfully bears ; but he will not sing 

 if he be placed near a Canary-Bird, nor does he at any 

 time sing so well as in a state of freedom. He likewise 

 changes his plumage ; and soon, instead of a little brown 

 bird with crimson neck, you see one variously mottled 

 with brown and buff. The finest and most prolonged 

 strains are delivered by the Linnet while on the wing. 

 On such occasions only does he sing with fervor. While 

 perched on a tree his song is usually short and not greatly 



