BIRDS OF DUMFRIESSHIRE 69 
Martin breeds throughout Europe and across northern 
Asia and in North America ; in winter it is found in China 
India and parts of Africa, and in Central and South America' 
THE GREENFINCH. Ligurinus Moris (Linn^us). 
Local names— Green Linnet ; Green Lintie. 
" J>?^^® broom where the gay green-linnet 
i3igs* Its wee bower in the broken tree, 
And loving the fragrance, sings sweet to win it, 
When the dew lies deep on the lily lee." 
Henry Scott-Riddell.— " The Bonnie Brooms 
A partial resident, common throughout the arable districts. 
Late in October many of our home-bred Greenfinches 
migrate south, returning again in early spring to nest. 
The breeding-season of this species is very prolonged 
nests being commonly found from April to September! 
I He Greenfinch may almost be said to breed in colonies in 
such close proximity are their nests found in clumps' of 
evergreens, bushes, or young spruce-plantations. The period 
of mcubation I have found to be fifteen days, and two broods 
are often reared in one season. During the summer months 
large parties of non-breeding birds congregate together 
Mr. John Boreland of Auchencairn (Closeburn) wrote 
me on May 21st, 1908: "I heard considerable comment 
yesterday on the damage done to brairding turnips by the 
common linnet. This seems to have been only noticed 
01 late years." Specimens of the culprits being forwarded 
It was found that they were Greenfinches ; and Mr Service 
tells me that in 1900 or 1901 this species (oddly enough 
on a neighbouring farm to Auchencairn) had been reported 
to be the cause of the same trouble. The birds try to pick 
off the empty seed-case adhering to the seed-leaf as the 
latter is still - brairding," and so pull up the embryo plant. 
* Builds. 
