All rights reserved]. [April, 190S. 



BIRD NOTES: 



THE 



JOURNAL OF THE FOREIGN BIRD CLUB. 



Siskins. 



By Wesley T. Page, F.Z.S. 



This is a large and most interesting genus, of pleasing 

 appearance ; most of the species are of more than average merit 

 as songsters. All of them make ideal cage birds, are equally 

 desirable for the aviary, and the rarer species equally so for 

 exhibition. 



It has a wide range and is to be found in almost every 

 quarter of the globe. Dr. Bowdler Sharpe catalogues twenty- 

 four distinct species as follows : tristis, yarelli, spinescens, sclateri, 

 alriceps, spinoides, psaltria, mexicana, colombiana, xanlhogaster, 

 stajnegori, 7tropygialis, atrata, spinus, barbata, icterica, notata, 

 forreri, nigriceps, lawreneii, cucullata, thibetana, pinus, citriuel 'hides, 

 mdanops, citrinella, and totta. 



I do not propose taking the species in the order given, 

 but simply in this paper describing those which have been 

 imported, completing the list in some future issue. 



The Hooded Siskins (vide plate <? and ? ). 

 ( Chrysomitris cucullata). 



This is one of the finest of the species, and even Mr. 

 Goodchild's fine drawing scarcely does justice to the richness of 

 its brilliant plumage. The attitude portrayed is a very natural 

 and characteristic one, and conveys a good idea of the charm- 

 ing vivacity of this beautiful species. It is a songster of more 

 than average merit, sweet, sustained and unmarred by shrill 

 notes. The species has done well at the Zoo, and those now 

 in the Small Bird's House are confiding and altogether charming 

 little fellows. 



In Trinidad charming mules have been bred between it 



