PINE FINCH 



233 



such a breezy carol as you miglit expect from a 

 stalwart fellow who loves the north wind and 

 revels amid the snow." 



Pine Finch ; Pine Siskin ; Spinus pinus. 



Brownish, streaked with black above and below ; wing and tail 

 feathers marked ivith yellow at base. Length, 5 inches. 



Geographic Distribution. — North America generally ; 

 breeds in the British provinces, the higher mountains of the 

 western United States, and sparingly in the northeastern 

 states ; winters as far south as the Gidf . 



" Few birds are more erratic in their habits than 

 the Siskin, or Pine Linnet. Occurring to-day, 

 perhaps, in such numbers 

 that one soon tires of 

 shooting them, they are 

 gone on the morrow, and 

 years may elaj^se before 

 one is seen again. There 

 is, in their melancholy 

 che-a., uttered at intervals 

 as small flocks pass in 

 short, waving swoops far overhead, something 

 sadly suggestive of the cold bleak winds that 

 sweep their northern homes." (Merriam.) 



Although so erratic in occurrence, when it does 

 come, the Pine Finch is to be welcomed, not only 

 by the bird-lover but by the agriculturist, for it 

 is said to be fond of useless and pernicious weeds, 

 ragweed being on its list. 



Fig. 144. 

 Pine Finch. 



