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(Fringilla Linaria, Linn.—Le Sizerin, Buff.)
LENGTH about five inches. Bill pale brown, point dusky; eyes hazel; the forehead is marked with a large pretty spot, of a deep red inclining to purple; the breast is of the same colour, but less bright; the feathers on the back are dusky, edged with pale brown; the greater and lesser coverts tipped with dirty white, forming two light bars across the wing; the belly and thighs dull white; the quills and tail dusky, edged with dirty white; the latter somewhat forked: legs dusky. In our bird the rump was reddish. The female has no red on the breast or rump, and the spot on her forehead is of a saffron colour; her plumage in general is not so bright as that of the male.
This species is found in every part of Europe. In America and the northern parts of Asia it is likewise very common. They are not unfrequent in this island; they breed chiefly in the northern parts, and are known by the name of French Linnets. They make a shallow open nest, composed of dried grass and wool, lined with hair and feathers: the female lays four eggs, almost white, marked with reddish spots. In winter they mix with other birds, and migrate in flocks to the southern counties; they feed on small seeds of various kinds, especially those of the alder, of which they are extremely fond; they hang like the Titmouse, with their back downwards, upon the branches, while feeding, and in this situation may easily be caught with lime twigs.
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