THE LADIES MAGAZINE OF GARDENING. 
371 
and thistle-like plants, as the clothier’s-brush or teasel ( Dipsacus ), &c. ; 
and certainly they destroy vast numbers, which otherwise would be 
carried far and wide over the surrounding lands. When snow covers the 
ground, and only the heads of the thistles appear, the goldfinches are seen 
busy pulling these heads to pieces to get at the seeds ; and when the bird- 
catchers wish to catch these birds, they always repair to those parts of the 
country where thistles are known to abound. 
Goldfinches, like many other much-admired objects in nature, are, 
however gay their exterior, wanting in mind; for they are by no means 
teachable singers. 
The Common Linnet (F. linota) is one of our finest vocalists. His 
tones are not so rich as those of the goldfinch, but have more variety; 
not so loud as the canary, but quite as harmonious. When reared from 
the nest, the male birds are very teachable, and soon learn any short 
passage of an air which may be whistled, or played to them on the bird- 
organ. They breed on commons or open parks, where furze-bushes 
grow, and where their nests are easily found in the breeding season. A 
fancier has only to walk among the furze, the earlier in the morning the 
better, and he may by chance see one flutter out of a bush, in wdiich case 
the nest will be found near the top ; but if he sees a linnet with a bit of 
moss, wool, or fibrous root in her mouth, he may conclude she is building 
a nest, and has only to stand still and mark the place she goes to ; or if 
the bird has food in her bill, a few minutes’ watching will direct him to 
the nest. On such occasions the male bird appears to be only a spectator 
of the industry of the female; for he is seen sitting on a bush near at 
hand, uttering now and then a low plaintive note, as if he were enjoining 
more caution on his more anxious mate. The linnet feeds chiefly on seeds 
of cruciferous plants, of which plenty are to be had in fields, either in the 
pods or scattered on the ground. The eggs are seldom more than five in 
number, and they are white, spotted with red at the larger end. 
Country people make two species of linnet, namely the rose linnet and 
the grey linnet; the latter being esteemed the best song-bird; but we 
rather apprehend the male linnet never gains his full tints while in con¬ 
finement, as no linnet in a cage is ever seen so red on the breast as those 
which are wild. 
The House-Sparrow (F. domestica ).—This is perhaps the most 
numerous species of small birds known in this or in any other inhabited 
country in the world. Wherever man has raised buildings, wdiether 
gorgeous palaces or rustic huts, there the sparrow will claim a domicile. 
Under the eaves of the roofs, particularly thatched roofs, or in any hole in 
the walls or projection of the architecture, these birds are sure to make 
