The Common or Eurasian Linnet (Linaria cannabina) is a small passerine bird of the finch family, Fringillidae. It derives its scientific name from its fondness for hemp and its English name from its liking for seeds of flax, from which linen is made.The common linnet is a slim bird with a long tail. The upper parts are brown, the throat is sullied white and the bill is grey. The summer male has a grey nape, red head-patch and red breast. Females and young birds lack the red and have white underparts, the breast streaked buff. The common linnet breeds in Europe, western Asia and north Africa. It is partially resident, but many eastern and northern birds migrate farther south in the breeding range or move to the coasts. They are sometimes found several hundred miles off-shore. Open land with thick bushes is favoured for breeding, including heathland and garden. It builds its nest in a bush, laying 4-7 eggs. This species can form large flocks outside the breeding season, sometimes mixed with other finches, such as twite, on coasts and salt marshes. The common linnet's pleasant song contains fast trills and twitters. In Pakistan, Linnet is frequent but irregular winter visitor in flocks to north-western Baluchistan, southern Gilgit, Peshawar and Mardan districts; also the Punjab Salt Range. Favours open stony areas with few trees or bare stubble.