236 OUR FAVOURITE SONG BIRDS 



sings all the year round, except during the moulting 

 season. This may be a fact with birds in captivity, 

 but we do not think the Siskin is a perennial songster 

 in a state of nature. Flocks may be heard repeat- 

 edly in winter twittering very melodiously on the 

 tree-tops, but this is concerted music, and quite 

 different from the love-song which we believe is 

 entirely confined to the breeding season. Another 

 fact about the song of the Siskin of special interest 

 is that it is often produced whilst the bird is in 

 flight. These song-flights are very similar to those 

 indulged in by Pipits. The Siskin is a persistent 

 singer, and keeps in excellent voice until the breed- 

 ing season is well-nigh over. 



The Siskin is comparatively an early breeder, 

 rearing two broods in the year, usually between 

 April and July. Its nesting haunts are chiefly in 

 flr woods and plantations ; birch and gorse-coverts 

 are said to be frequented by this Finch for breeding 

 purposes, but this must be very exceptional. The 

 bird appears to pair annually, although certain 

 localities are visited very regularly for reproductive 

 purposes. The nest is m;ide either in the fork of a 

 horizontal branch, or in a crotch near the top of the 

 tree, where it is most difficult to find, owing to the 

 density of surrounding foliage and its small size. 

 The nest is made of fine twigs, dry grass stems and 

 roots, and lined with moss, finer roots, vegetable 

 down, hair, and occasionally feathers. It is placed 



