COMMON GRAY, OR BROWN LINNET. 283 
careless structure of slender twigs, moss, and 
wool, lined with hair or feathers. Mr Hewitson 
hints at the probability of there being two species 
of what is termed the Brown or Common Linnet, 
the one breeding among whin, the other in 
hedges, and the latter always having smaller eggs. 
In our own immediate locality, we have not 
observed this difference in the site of the nest, 
but the subject may be worth while investigat- 
ing, as many of the species known are closely 
allied. During winter they assemble often in 
vast flocks, feeding on the stubble lands, or 
ploughed fields, and sometimes descending near 
the shore. When disturbed, they fly in a wheel- 
ing flight close together, and several times pass 
the object of their alarm before they quit the 
vicinity. At this time their cry is their usual 
call-note often repeated. They roost among the 
whin covers, in any thick brush, or low planta- 
tions of evergreens, near their haunts, and if 
undisturbed in a fine and serene evening, the 
flock will assemble on some tree or more elevated 
bush, pluming themselves, and rehearsing, as it 
were, their songs for the coming spring. The song 
'is taken up by the whole flock, each warbling his 
own strain ; and this, when the air is still, may be 
heard at a considerable distance. They are a 
favourite cage bird both in England and Scotland, 
and for this purpose are taken during winter, 
particularly in the south, by means of various 
snares. In the north it is more frequently 
