The Common Linned. | 99 
—viz,, wild mustard, charlock, thistles, groundsel, or 
dandelion—for the purpose of picking and eating the 
Bsecds ine Minnet does but little harm, if any, but 
the benefit we receive by it is very great, for it not only | 
> helps to clear the land of weeds, but also rids it of 
many noxious insects and caterpillars. In the autumn 
Linnets go about in large flocks, and at evening, when 
they are going to roost, may be seen and known by 
their rapid and irregular flight, generally settling on 
the top of some tree before taking up their nightly 
quarters, which are often in large beds or clumps of 
furze or in holly, yew, box, or other plantations of ever- 
greens. While on the wing, as well as when perched 
in the day-time, this bird utters its simple call-note, 
which is soft in sound and rather pleasing to the ear. 
In the spring these flocks break up into pairs, often 
building their nest in gorse or other thick shrubs, not 
far from the ground. The nest is composed of roots, 
hay, and moss, lined with wool and hair, usually con- 
taining five eggs. iit 
I would simply remark that the method of feeding, 
both of this bird and the goldfinch, is by sitting on 
” >) 
(mer | 
