100 THE MOUNTAIN LINNET OR TWITE 



and its nest has been occasionally found in the midland counties ; 

 some eggs were recently brought to me in Hertfordshire. Meyer 

 relates, that having one confined in a cage he placed it in his garden 

 in fine weather, in the hope that other birds of the same species 

 might be attracted by its note to visit it in its confinement. His 

 expectation was realized, for several wild Redpolls not only came 

 into his garden and twittered their notes of recognition from the 

 neighbouring trees, but actually alighted on the bars of the cage.j 

 This took place in the county of Surrey, and during the month 

 of June, thus proving that some at least of the species remain with' 

 us all the year round. The nest, which is remarkably small, is 

 described as being placed in the fork of an alder-tree, loosely con-i 

 structed of dry grass and weeds, and lined either with the cotton of 

 the willow or the pappus of some compound flower, stated by some 

 to be dandelion, by others, thistle, but perhaps, in reality, coltsfoot.! 

 In captivity. Redpolls are prized for their liveliness and remark- 

 able affection for each other, and, indeed, for all little birds who 

 do not disdain their attentions. They can be taught many little 

 tricks also. 



THE MOUNTAIN LINNET, OR TWITE 



ACANTHIS FLAVIROSTRIS 



Upper plumage dark brown, edged with light brown ; no crimson either on the 

 forehead or breast ; rump of the male tinged with red ; throat tawny 

 brown, without streaks ; breast and abdomen dull white, streaked on 

 the flanks with dark brown ; beak yellow ; feet and claws dark brown ; 

 tail long. Length five inches and a quarter. Eggs pale bluish white, 

 speckled with purple-red. 



Another northern bird, inhabiting the Arctic Regions, Scandinavia, 

 and Russia, and travelling southwards in autumn. In the Orkney 

 and Shetland Islands it is the most common, if not the only, species, 

 and builds its nest among the corn or heath. It breeds from 

 Derbyshire and northwards, but is very local ; at one time it was 

 very common on the Lancashire moors. Yellow-neb Lintie is 

 a Scotch name given to it. In the countries where it is resident 

 all the year round, it is very destructive to wheat in winter, and to 

 turnips in summer. As soon as the latter plants appear above 

 ground, the bird puUs them up, nips off the seed-leaves, and the 

 field remains strewn with the fragments of the young plants. In 

 winter, Mountain Linnets assemble in very large flocks, and in 

 their habits resemble Common Linnets, from which they are best 

 distinguished (at a distance) by their longer taUs. During severe 

 weather I have observed them in Norfolk, flocking to the salt 

 marshes, and feeding on the seeds of saline plants, especially those 

 of the shrubby sea-blite. At this season their note resembles the' 



