Linnet

linnet
    n 1: small finch originally of the western United States and
         Mexico [syn: {house finch}, {linnet}, {Carpodacus
         mexicanus}]
    2: small Old World finch whose male has a red breast and
       forehead [syn: {linnet}, {lintwhite}, {Carduelis cannabina}]
    

Linnet \Lin"net\ (l[i^]n"n[e^]t), n. [F. linot, linotte, from L.
   linum flax; or perh. shortened from AS. l[imac]netwige, fr.
   AS. l[imac]n flax; -- so called because it feeds on the seeds
   of flax and hemp. See {Linen}.] (Zool.)
   Any one of several species of fringilline birds of the genera
   {Linota}, {Acanthis}, and allied genera, esp. the common
   European species ({Linota cannabina}), which, in full summer
   plumage, is chestnut brown above, with the breast more or
   less crimson. The feathers of its head are grayish brown,
   tipped with crimson. Called also {gray linnet}, {red linnet},
   {rose linnet}, {brown linnet}, {lintie}, {lintwhite}, {gorse
   thatcher}, {linnet finch}, and {greater redpoll}. The
   American redpoll linnet ({Acanthis linaria}) often has the
   crown and throat rosy. See {Redpoll}, and {Twite}.
   [1913 Webster]

   {Green linnet} (Zool.), the European green finch.
      [1913 Webster]