THE GREY-LINNET. 
267 
wooded valley of the river Stinchar ; he has sometimes observed 
them picking like sparrows at the horse-dung on the roads. The 
bird-catchers believe that siskins breed in that quarter, as they 
often take young birds, —but the period of their capture has 
not been so precisely stated as to enable me to form any opinion 
on the question. The siskin is known to Sir ¥m. Jardine 
and others, to have bred in different parts of Scotland. Goldfinches 
are so scarce in the part of Ayrshire alluded to, that only one pair 
has come under the notice of my friend. 
THE GEEY LINNET. 
Common Linnet. Greater Eedpole. 
Linaria cannabina, Linn, (sp.) 
Fringilla „ ,, 
linota, Gmel. 
Is one of the most common birds throughout Ireland at 
every season. 
In nearly all kinds of localities, except the lofty mountain-ridge, 
this species is to be met with,* either by itself, or associated with 
other linnets ( Linaria ) ; sometimes with chaffinches. It is 
partial to neglected pastures, or other grounds, where “ weeds” are 
permitted to flourish, and renders the farmer a great service by 
feeding on their seeds. The cultivator of flax in the north of 
Ireland, by placing no value on the home-grown seed, until of 
late years, unwittingly presented a rich autumnal treat to the 
greylinnet. After this plant had been subjected to steeping, the 
seed parted freely from the stem, when the bundles were flung out 
of the pool on the neighbouring banks, where these birds might 
be seen congregated to feed upon it, so long as any remained. 
The linnet has a great predilection for deserted quarries, especially 
of limestone, for the sake, doubtless, of consuming the seeds of 
the various plants which spring from the debris ; — as it also has 
* About Aberarder, Inverness-shire, where there is not much choice of locality, 
I have seen them about wild mountain banks, and have heard them sing when con- 
gregated in the middle of September, on the rocky heights above Loch Cor. 
