BRITISH BIRDS, 
THE GREATER REDPOLE, 
GREATER RED HEADED LINNET, OR BROWN LINNET, 
( Fringilla cannabina , Lin . — La grande Linotie des Vignes , 
Buffi) 
The length of this bird is five and a half inches ; 
breadth nine and three quarters. The bill is thick at 
the base ; the upper mandible dusky, the under one 
whitish. A pale brownish streak passes from the bill 
over and below each eye ; the irides are dark ; on the 
crown of the head is a bright crimson or lake-red co- 
loured spot ; the rest of the head is ash colour, striped 
with brown on the back part, and mottled with the 
same colours on the brow, and on each side of the 
crown; the chin is yellowish; the hinder part and 
sides of the neck are of a dingy ash ; the fore part dull 
white, spotted with dark brown. The breast* is of the 
* It loses the red breast in the autumn, and assumes it again in the 
spring ; in this it differs from the Grey Linnet, whose plumage continues 
the same in all seasons. 
