Costumes of the Linnet

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 146, 17 March 1934, Page 20

Costumes of the Linnet

(By

J. Drummond, F.L.S., F.Z.S.,

for “The Dominion.”)

THE male linnet’s practice of dressing in different costumes probably explains why, although this species was first introduced into New Zealand about seventy years ago, its complete success,, in this Dominion was placed beyond question only a few years ago Ordinarily, the male is a fine fellow. Its summer costume singles it out from ail native birds and from almost all other introduced biids. It then wears a crimson cap, pulled down over the forehead. It displays a crimson -hirt-front. Below this is a dull white stomacher. A chestnut-brown mantle is thrown over the shoulders.-There is a dull white scarf, stiiped with biown, oiti ho chin and throat. The outer edges of the wing feathers are barred with vhite. At other seasons, the gayest colours are discarded. Brown takes ,he place of crimson, anil more grey is worn. Incognito, the male linnet might escape identification by observant naturalists, and experienced bird fanciers. English fanciers distinguish rose, grey and brown linnets, but there is only one species, Acanthis canabina. A female is slightly smaller than a male, and never puts on crimson, wearing nothing but brown, except i little ashy colour on head and neck.

Paying a tribute to the linnet as a social bird among its own species, and as a favourite cage bird, ranking second to the goldfinch, Mr. \V. 11. Hudson, an English naturalist, comments on tliese changes. He knows birds in England, and the male linnet seems to him to be one of the most variable. He wrote: “It is common to meet bird-catchers and bird-fanciers who learn with surprise, even with incredulity, that all these birds of dif ferent tints belong to the same species. The male never, or very seldom puts on its most beautiful colours in captivity. Even in a state of nature, individuals in a Hock differ greatly. Among a dozen, perhaps only one will display a perfect plumagev-bldod-red forehead, grey head, rich chestnut-

brown upper parts, and lovely carmine breast. There is-one variety, known as a lemon linnet, in which the breast is“lemon-yelldtV instead of carminered ; and there are other varieties. The linnet’s song also varies. When the songster is a good one, and is heard at a distance not exceeding twenty or thirty yards, the strain is sprightly, varied, and very agreeable; bui the sweetest part is a phrase of two or three notes that usually come a> a prelude to the song; the sound has quality that reminds one of the swallow’s voice, but is purer, and suggests a very delicate wind-instrument. In (he love season,- the male sometimes sings on the wing. Rising to a height of several yards, it drops slowly and gracefully, uttering a series of: beautiful notes and trills.” In a big book on acclimatisation in New Zealand, published twelvei rears ago, the Hon. G. M. Thomson discredited the Auckland Acclimatisation! Society’s report about 1874 that the linnet had thoroughly established itself in the Auckland province. "The failure of the species to establish itself in New Zealand,” he wrote, “is one of the most inexplicable problems in animal naturalisation. Some allied species have become common, but the linnet disappeared soon after it was liberated.” ■ Another New Zealand naturalist suggested that all the individuals, or almost all, introduced from England were of the same sex, possibly males The opinion now is that the linnet did not fail in New Zealand. Mr. W 11. B. Oliver, Director of the Dominion Museum, gives it a place in “New Zealand Birds,” published three years ago. He gives the southern part of the North Island and Westland as its distribution, but lie admits that, as it is easily overlooked, it may be more, generally distributed than the records disclose. This, undoubtedly, is so. As a destroyer, of .the seeds of iveeds and of insects, the linnet is l 'in Mr. Oliver’s' good graces.