SISKIN. 51 



As a winter visitor the Siskin or Aberdevine, a name largely 

 used by bird-catchers, is sporadic ; in some winters it is common, 

 in others scarce or absent. Tits and Goldcrests are at times its 

 companions, but the Redpoll is its greatest favourite. With 

 Redpolls it frequents birches and alders, returning day after 

 day to the same group of trees, where its greenish plumage and 

 short forked tail, as well as the black head of the male bird, 

 serve to distinguish it from its companions. As acrobatic as a 

 tit, it hangs for choice upside down when picking at the alder 

 cones or birch seeds. In March and April it is found in larches, 

 doubtless attracted by bud-destroying insects. Seeds of knap- 

 weed, ragwort and groundsel are eaten, but those of trees are 

 most favoured. All the time that the birds are in the trees and 

 when they fly in straggling parties to fresh feeding-grounds, 

 they keep up a continuous simple twitter ; but the call-note, 

 described by Seebohm as " tsyzing," is distinctive. The song, 

 best known to those who keep the bird in captivity, is sweet but 

 simple. 



The summer home of the Siskin is the firwood ; the nest is 

 usually built on a horizontal bough of a fir at a considerable 

 elevation, and dead fir twigs, especially those covered with 

 lichens, are largely used in its construction. To these moss and 

 roots are added, and the lining is generally of hair or feathers. 

 The four to five eggs are a little bluer than the usual type of 

 the egg of the Goldfinch, and are rather more profusely spotted 

 with lilac and brown. The first eggs are laid in April and 

 frequently a second clutch in June. 



The general colour of the male in winter is olive-green, 

 darkest on the back and shading to yellow on the rump ; 

 beneath it is paler, yellowish white on the flanks, and white on 

 the belly. The crown, chin and lores are greyish black, and 

 the back and flanks streaked with brov/n. A distinct yellow 

 stripe above the eye joins the yellow upper breast. Two 

 irregular greenish yellow bars cross the wings, and the primaries 



