268 
FRIN GILLIDtE . 
for the borders of the sea-shore unaffected by cultivation, where 
many hundreds may often be seen associated together. The seeds 
of different species of mouse-ear chick-weed ( Cerastium ) are 
favourite food. So early as the 10th of July, I once saw several 
flocks, some containing fifty individuals, on the marine sand-hills 
at Portrush, near the Giant's Causeway : one of these birds which 
fed within six paces of me was regaling on the seed of a dandelion, 
which it extracted with great rapidity ; on rising from the ground 
its call was uttered and repeated for some time on the wing.* 
The following note was made on September the 21st : — Por some 
time past, I have daily seen flocks of from two to three hun- 
dred grey linnets about the rocks at the sea-side near Bangor, 
county of Down. As they were perched to-day, which was 
very fine, on low rocks whose bases were washed by the sea, 
they kept up a pleasing concert, reminding me of that produced 
by an assembled multitude of redwings ( Turdus Iliacus), on fine 
days in the early spring. At the end of April, I have seen the 
grey linnet perched on the top of Fucus - covered stones, — the legi- 
timate haunt of the rock pipit, —singing most vigorously, though 
whin-covered rocks, its favourite resort, were quite contiguous. 
I have met with this bird in the month of June when visiting low 
rocky islets in the sea, the breeding-haunts of terns (Sterna). 
Occasionally in autumn as well as spring, the true song of the 
linnet may be heard trilled forth by individuals which form part 
of a large flock. 
To witness a number of grey linnets feeding is a very pleasing 
sight. Several may be seen in different attitudes, busied in extracting 
the seed from a single thistle or ragweed, which all the while keeps 
moving to and fro with their weight. The ear is at the same 
time gratified with their lively call, which is constantly uttered by 
one or more of the party. When two or three are engaged on 
the petty surface of a ragweed-top, and others fly to it, some of 
the first comers, apparently on the principle, that the world is wide 
* In this respect the lesser redpole is said hy Mr. Selby to differ from the grey 
linnet, which he considers to he silent on the wing, but in the north of Ireland there 
is not this distinction between the species. 
