PASSEEES (finches). 395 



it is so well known ; but the young may be pointed out as differ- 

 ing from the adults by having no black on the head. 



The Linnet {Acanthis cannabina). — The Linnet is widely 

 distributed in England and Wales. In Scotland it is replaced 

 by the Mountain Twite {A. flavirostris). In colour the linnet 

 is very variable : the head in the male is mottled brown, red 

 in the centre ; back chestnut-brown, dull brown towards the 

 tail, which is black, the outer tail-feathers bordered with white ; 

 primary wing-feathers black, bordered with white and tipped 

 with ashy - grey ; breast - feathers reddish - brown, edged with 

 yellowish-red ; abdomen dull white, flanks reddish-yellow ; biU 

 horn colour, legs brown. In summer the beak is bluish-broAvn in 

 colour and the feathers of the crown greyish-brown, tipped with 

 crimson, the back being bright chestnut-brown. The linnet 

 nests on commons and heaths, especially in gorse and juniper 

 bushes and low hedges, about the middle of April. Four to six 

 eggs are laid in the wool-lined nest, of a bluish-white colour, 

 speckled and streaked with reddish-brown and purplish -grey. 

 There may be two broods in the year. In autumn they unite 

 into large flocks, and may be seen flying with a curious dipping 

 motion over the stubble, which they work for their food. 

 Mustard, rape, charlock, and other oily seeds are preferred by 

 them, also thistle and dandelion seeds, whilst insects are now 

 and then eaten : amongst other seeds we may mention flax, 

 hemp, docks, and corn occasionally. The residents are aug- 

 mented in autumn by large numbers that come from the Con- 

 tinent to the east coast, and by others that migrate south- 

 wards. In spring these flocks break up and they pair oft'. 

 They do much good on the stubbles by destroying various 

 weed-seeds. 



Other British species are the Mealy EedpoU {A. linaria), 

 the Lesser Eedpole {A. rufescens), the smallest British finch, 

 and the Twite (A. flavirostris) with its longish tail, common in 

 the north. This latter is sometimes very harmful to young 

 cabbage and other crucifers in the north of Scotland. The 



