TWITE.
LLLMOH KVNYIU). CHWIBANOGL Y MYNUI), OK THE ANCIENT BRITISH.
MOUNTAIN LINNET. HEATH Eli LIN TIE.
IJnaria montana, SSLBY.
Frtngilta flaviroslris, LINN^US.
Linaria. Ltnum—Flax. Montana—Of, or belonging to mountains.
THIS bird is found in Europe in Russia, but least extensively in
an easterly direction, Denmark, Norway, Lapland, and Sweden, and
as far south as Switzerland, France, Germany, Italy, and in Crete
and Corfu. In Asia also, in Siberia, and in Japan, according to
M. Temrninck.
The Twite is plentiful in the northern parts of England, and in
Scotland, especially in the northern parts, Morayshire, Sutherlandshire,
and Elginshire, less so in East Lothian; Ireland; the Hebrides;
Shetland; and Orkney, throughout the year. It also is known in
Guernsey and Sark.
In Yorkshire it breeds in abundance on all the high moors near
Halifax, also on Thorne Moor; and near Doncaster, Leeds, Barnslcy,
and York is likewise met with. The Rev. II. P. Alington has procured
specimens from the neighbourhood of the sea in Lincolnshire.
It has been found also in Staffordshire and Derbyshire; in Cornwall
one near Penzance; in Devonshire it is scarce also.
Indigenous in the north, they are only winter migrants towards
the south, moving about the end of September.
Towards the commencement of winter they unite into flocks, sometimes
of large extent, and frequently, in illustration of the adage
that ' birds of a feather flock together,' in company with those of
kindred species of consentaneous habits, with whom they visit the
farm-yards; eighty have been killed at three successive shots, twenty
at the first, sixteen at the second, and forty-four at the third. They
!