IQ2I.] Birds of Macedonia. 197 



Carduelis carduelis. Goldfinch. 



Not seen during the breeding-season, but ver}^ connuon 

 for the rest of the year. The small villaoes situated at 

 the foot of the hills were strongholds for this bird. The 

 once cultivated patches of tobacco, cotton, and vegetables, 

 but now only patches of weeds with a remnant of the 

 original crop showing through here and there, always attracted 

 the Goldfinches in winter. They drank regularly, even 

 in the most severe weather, and had qaite a novel method 

 of doing so. Small parties would fly to the reed-beds, and 

 the birds would cling to the bases of the reeds about two 

 inches above the water and drink by bending over to the 

 surface. After this they would often alight on the snowy 

 flotsam and flutter in the water to their content. A Marsh- 

 Harrier attended one of these particular watering-places day 

 iifter day, and levied a regular toll on the birds as they came 

 to drink. 



Spinus spinus. Siskin. 



Several seen in sheltered corners of the plain from 

 December to March. One pair frequented a small patch 

 of reeds near a pond for at least nine consecutive weeks 

 in the cold weather. I took some pains to find out the 

 nature of the food, and found that it consisted of the seeds 

 of half rotten " blackberries " which were still hanging 

 on the bushes. The Siskin's confiding habits were most 

 pronounced. 



" To-day a pair of Siskins were feeding in some pink 

 ground-nettles only a yard or so from my feet. Another 

 little hen sat on a small bush, beside the stream. I stood 

 quite by the side of the bush but she was not in the least 

 disturbed. I seized a twig and gently pulled it until the 

 whole bush was swaying, but still the bird remained. 

 At last I took a step nearer and stretched out a hand 

 to seize her, upon which she fluttered away.'^ (Diar}', 

 17 March.) 



Acanthis cannabina. Linnet. 

 Snudl flocks in autumn and winter. 



