402 CARDUELIS SPINUS. 



able variations, excepting such as are usually produced by-age ; 

 but in captivity, the Siskin varies to white or dusky. 



Habits. — The earliest period of the year at which I have fallen 

 in with Siskins, was on the 4th of August; when being, in 1830, 

 on a geological and botanical excursion, in Braemar, and in com- 

 pany with some full-plumed and several unfledged philosoj)hers, 

 I observed in a field near ^lar Lodge, a very large flock of these 

 birds, feeding on the thistles that covered a sloping field on the 

 side of an eminence. On pointing them out, I was informed by 

 one of the naturalists present, that such a flock was in no way 

 remarkable, and that Siskins were quite plentiful about Edin- 

 burgh. To this I replied, that I had never met with any there, 

 unless on the North Bridge, where specimens in cages were 

 frequently shewn for sale. Hovrever, as there is not more can- 

 dour in the world than is barely necessary, I was allowed to 

 enjoy the sight as 1 listed, it being considered nothing marvel- 

 lous. The Siskins pursued their occupation, in which they 

 manifested the same diligence and activity as Goldfinches, 

 clinging to the plants and extracting the seeds in the same 

 manner, and appearing to pay no attention to our party. It was 

 diflicult to believe that these were miofratinoj individuals that 

 had arrived at so early a season from the northern regions ; 

 and therefore it seemed to me probable that the species breeds 

 in Scotland. 



On the 5th September 1832, I saw a considerable number in 

 a fir wood, in Etterickdale, in Selkirkshire. They were in 

 the tops of the trees, accompanied by Grey Flycatchers, Golden- 

 crested Wrens, and Black Titmice ; and I succeeded in shoot- 

 ing three individuals. But in no other part of Scotland have 

 I ever seen this species, which I must consequently infer to be 

 rare in that country ; notwithstanding that a friend of mine 

 informed me that he had seen it in great abundance, picking 

 the seeds from the cones of the alders, at Gifford in East 

 Lothian, in the spring of 1836. Specimens I have also occa- 

 sionally seen in winter with the bird-stuffers in Edinburgh. 



Mr. Selby states that " in the winters of 1820 and 1821 

 Northumberland was visited by considerable flocks of these 



