The Siskin 65 



again, the same might be said of other species with equal fairness, yet I think 

 he may have been correct. 



Familv--- FRINGILLID. E. Subfawtly—FRINGILLIAVE. 



The Siskin. 



Clitysomitris spinas., LiNN. 



THE distribution of the Siskin or Aberdevine* extends throughout Europe to 

 the limit of conifer growth : in Africa it is said to occur during severe 

 winters in Morocco and Algeria ; it is also found in Northern Asia, and 

 across Siberia to China and Japan. 



In Great Britain during the summer months the vSiskin is chiefly confined to 

 the fir-woods of the north, consequently it is somewhat local in its distribution ; 

 in some parts of Scotland and Ireland it is fairly abundant as a breeding species, 

 as also in some of the northern counties of England : it has, moreover, been 

 known occasionally to breed in Surrej^ Sussex, and I am tolerably sure that it 

 has bred at Keston, in Kent, near to the lakes, where there is a belt of tall 

 conifers, for I saw a pair there early in June, 1886, and heard the male singing 

 its sprightly song, with the unmistakeable hurdy-gurdy finish. Since 1898 it has 

 been recorded as breeding in Shropshire, Derby, Yorkshire and probably Suther- 

 land. In the winter the distribution of the Siskin is much more general, extending 

 into Western Scotland and the South of England. 



The adult male has the general colouring of the upper parts olive-green with 

 darker shaft-streaks, the rump much more yellow, showing the shaft-streaks 

 distinctly at the junction with the lower part of the back ; crown of head black ; 

 wings black, the coverts tipped with yellow, the flights with white diffused borders 



* Generally called "' Af'py divine" b}- the Loudon bird-catchers; but one uiau 'wbo called occasioualij", 

 used always to ask if I wauted any " Abbies." 



Vol. u, S 



