Any one of several species of fringilline birds of the
genera Linota, Acanthis, and allied genera, esp. the common European
species (L. 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.