LINNET.
Iron MKM tlio North Bat; on no occasion, however, did Lionets come under nvy observation wlnle on the
passage during autumn or early whiter. From the light-ships I could gain little information concerning
their movements, the only wings received being Of lorn taken on board the • Newarp' early in March
1873. As to which way the poor little travellers were shaping their course when dashed against the
Limps, there was no chance of ascertaining.
Furze-elud downs appear the favourite summer-quarters of this species in the vicinity of the south
coast; in the more inland portions of the southern counties (here are in the wuoded districts here and
there large fields of furze or gone to which Linnets resort in numbers during the breeding-season. On
one such wild and rugged stretch of ground situated between Calsfield and Ashburnham, known to the
natives of the locality as the " horlhy Ocld," 1 well remember Linnets so plentiful about thirty years
•go that over three hundred eggs were counted in a single morning's ramble. Three Cuckoo's eggs also
came under our observation on that occasion—one in the nest of a 11 edge-Sparrow, another in that of a
Mcndow-l'ipit, and the third in the nest of a Linnet conlaining two pure white eggs. On a certain part
of the furze there were for several successive seasons three or four nests in which the whole of the eggs
were perfectly white; in shape and size they exactly corresponded with the usual form, and the birds
being watched repeatedly there could have been no possibility of a mistake as to their identity. In
shrubberies and gardens near Brighton I have occasionally met with the nests of this species in dense
bushes of Cu/irc**ira; when resorting to such quarters the birds become remarkably fearless, paying little
or no attention to the presence of those they are accustomed to see round Ibeir haunts. Some years ago,
when living in East Lothian, I discovered a nest of this bird (which is there termed the Lintie) placed
amongst the ends of the straws protruding from (he side of a wheat-stack at about the height of fourteen
feet from the ground, the young being just on the point of flying. It was somewhat singular that on the
thatch of the adjoining stack a Partridge was silting on fourteen eggs.
The summer plumage of the male Linnet is exceedingly bright and attractive, the feathers on the
crown of the head and breast exhibiting a deep carmine t i n t ; in winter these colours change to a dull claret,
which renders the bird far less conspicuous. In captivity Linnets, after moulting, never regain the brilliant
hues assumed during summer when in a wild state, eventually losing all signs of their former colouring.
I n the 'Catalogue of the Birds of Northumberland and Durham,' by J. llancoek, it is stated :—"The fact
is that the males, from shedding the nest-feathers get a red breast, which they retain only during the first
season; they then assume the garb of the female, which is retained for the rest of their lives, as in the
case of the Crossbill. This docs not seem to be generally understood by ornithologists, though the birdfancier
is quite familiar with the fact that the males never regain the red on the breast after moulting.
I t is staled by Yarrell that the male assumes the red breast in the breediag-sca-on. This is not quite
correct, for just as many are found breeding without the red breast as with it." These remarks do
not agree with my own experience; though it is well known that cage-birds never regain Ihcir rosy
breasts, I have not met with a single instance where a wild male was paired and breeding unless the
usual bright tinls on the head and breast were fully developed.
L E S S E R R E D P O L L.
LINOTA BVFESCENS.
LAIIOK fiights or this diminutive species tmike Ihcir way south, as autumn advances, from the northern
portions of our islands (if not from across the sea) and remain as winter visitors scattered over the
country. The flocks to lie seen in the southern and eastern counties from the beginning of October
till the end of March are usually far in excess of the numbers passing the summer in this port of
Great Britain. The mosl reliable authorities assert that the Lesser ] ted poll is not a native of Scandinavia;
it is also stilted that the British Islands arc not visited by any migrants from the north of Europe. This
information, I conclude, must be accepted as indisputable. Considering, however, Ihe fact that, during
some seasons at least, their summer-haunts in the Highlands arc by no means entirely descried, the
immense numbers spread over England in autumn anil winter appear far greater than the entire
Bedpoll population uf the northern parls of Great Britain. With the exception of lids large addition
to the birds iu the south, I have failed to make any observations tending to prove we arc visited by
strangers from the north of Europe. During the years passed on the north-east coast of Scotland, I
did not recognize any large flight* in the vicinity of the shore at the time other small migrants were
lauding by thousands. Though a few wing* of the Bed-breasted Linnet and one of the Siskin were
received during the years I was in communication with the light-ships off the east coast, I could gain
no tidings of Ibis species.
At various times in tho course of my wanderings I have met with the compactly built and
elegant nest of this lively species in almost every county in the nnrlh of Scotland. That Redpolls
brood in many parts of England has been repeatedly recorded, and iu 1809 some two or three pairs
neslid and reared their young in the immediate vicinity of Brighton. I closely examined the parent
birds through the glasses, and till exhibited the worn and faded apiiearance of those kept in cages.
The carmine colouring ou the head and breast of the males was also wanting, its place being taken by
fcatbers of a rusty yellow tint. It is probable that the whole of the birds had either been liberated
or escaped from confinement, immense numbers being kept in captivity in this locality. On no other
occasion have I met with the nest of this species further south than Norfolk. In the neighbourhood
of the broads several pairs may occasionally be seen during summer, though the numbers that remain
in the district arc exceedingly uncertain. In 1873 and 18<S Redpolls were especially plentiful; in
1SS1 I did not notice a single bird in the locality after the departure or the winter flocks.
I am not aware whether this species rears more than one brood in a season. Young birds were,
however, seen on wing in the east of Norfolk iu 1878 as early as June 9, and in 1873 a pair commenred
building a fortnight later.
With the exception of the Lesser Redpolls near Brighton, whose nests were placed iu elder and
willow, I have only noticed this species breeding in abler and stunted thorn-bushes. The nests coming