128 THE LIVING ANIMALS OL THE WORLD 
Photo by F. Piggoti 
LINNET 
One of the most popular cage-birds. The so-called Red-hroivn and Grey Linnets are but phases of plumage of the same species. The bird 
in the rnght-hand corner is a greenfinch 
brown, whilst tlie white parts are less pure in tone. The full dress of the male is rarely 
seen in the British Islands, save in specimens procured from Scotland; for in winter, when the 
snow-bunting is chiefly captured, the plumage is altogether more rufous. 
Unlike the buntings so far described, the Reed-BUNTINc; is to be found only in marshy 
places, but in suitable localities it may be found in the British Islands all the year round, being 
as common a species as the corn-bunting, and therefore not calling for special description here. 
The eggs of the buntings are remarkable for the curious scribble-like markings which 
cover them, and serve readily to distinguish them from those of any other British bird. 
CHAPTER XVI 
LJRKS, TITMICE, HONEY-EATERS, AND THEIR KINDRED 
C ONFINED almost entirely to the Old World, where they are represented by more than 
one hundred species, many of which have undergone considerable specialisation in the 
matter of plumage, so as to enable them to live in desert regions, the Larks constitute 
a well-marked group, into the characters of which we need not enter here. 
The best-known member of the group is the SKYLARK. Common throughout the British 
Islands, and of sober coloration, no bird is more universally beloved,, and this largely on 
account of the sweetness of its song, which is second onl}' to that of the nightingale. Poets 
and prose-writers alike have sounded its praises, many in passages that will be remembered as 
long as our language lasts. The skylark is one of the few birds which sing while on the 
wing; the peculiar nature of the flight at this time all must have watched, entranced the 
while by the beauty of the song. 
