LINNET. 



105 



INSESSORES. FRINGILLIDM. 



CONIROSTRES. 



PLATE CX. 



LINNET. 



LlNARIA CANABINA. (Swainson.) 



The Linnet is a very abundant species in most parts of 

 England, enlivening lonely commons and waste uncultivated 

 spots, where furze, broom, and heath supply the place of shrubs 

 of higher pretensions. These are the localities chiefly frequent- 

 ed by Linnets during the summer, and in which they rear their 

 young in vast numbers. Their nests, which are usually 

 about four feet from the ground, are placed in bushes of 

 furze, or whitethorn, and not much concealed, if we may 

 judge from the numbers that may always be readily found in 

 May and June in any favourable situation. The nest of 

 the Linnet is often of a large size, in proportion to the di- 

 mensions of the bird, and far less neat in its exterior out- 

 line than those of the finches in general. Large tufts of 

 grass and straws usually form the basement, very loosely 

 put together ; the upper work is rather more firm and 

 neat, interwoven with fine roots and wool : the lining is of 

 horse-hairs, very neatly laid in some specimens, and forms 

 a pleasing contrast with the rough exterior ; some in our 

 possession are, however, more compact, resembling ex- 

 ternally the neatest nests of the whitethroat, but much 



