492 



REPTILES AND BIRDS. 



and perform various tricks, such as drawing up the vessel containing 

 its food and drink, firing a miniature cannon, and other similar per- 

 formances. 



The Linnets (Fringilla cannabina, Fig. 210) have considerable 

 analogy to the Goldfinch. Like them, they are extremely sociable, 

 except at the period of incubation ; that duty over, the individuals 

 begin to muster in small flocks towards the end of autumn, which 



Fig. 209. — Goldfinches. 



Fig. 210. — Linnets. 



increase as the winter advances, when they betake themselves in 

 search of food to sheltered districts, or to the neighbourhood of 

 villages and farmhouses. They associate with various other species, 

 such as the Mountain Linnet, Green Linnet, and similar birds. The 

 nest of the Linnet is generally placed in a bush of furze or heath. 

 It is a neat structure, formed externally of blades of grass inter- 

 mingled with moss and wool, and lined with hair of various kinds ; 

 sometimes with thistle-down. The female lays from four to six 

 eggs, of an oval form, bluish white colour, marked with distinct 



