BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



27 



Si9hin. 



The Siskin {Fringi//a spimis^ Linnaeus) is generally 

 considered a winter visitor to the British Isles, 

 although instances are recorded of its having nested in 

 most of our English counties. It also frequents the 

 temperate parts of the Palearctic Region. The adult 

 male has the crown and throat black ; back, dullish-green, 

 with streaks of dark brown ; rump, yellow ; cheeks and 

 ear-coverts, olive-green ; wings, blackish, with yellow bars 

 and pale yellowish margins ; tail-feathers, blackish, yellow 

 at base with the exception of centre ones ; under parts, 

 yellow, shading into white on abdomen ; flanks, yellowish, 

 with dusky streaks of black ; irides, brown ; bill, dusky ; 

 feet, light brown. Length, about four inches. The adult 

 female has the crown streaked with dusky brown ; wings, 

 rump, and tail show very little yellow ; under parts, 

 yellowish-white, with dusky streaks. 



