126 



PASSERES. 



KRINGILLID^E. 



FRINGILLlDJu 



Carduelis spinus (Linnoeus*). 



THE SISKIN. 



Carduelis spinus. 



The Siskin, or Aberdevine as birdcatchers also call it, is 

 for the most part an autumnal visitant from the north to 

 England, and generally departs in spring, but it is known 

 to have bred with us, and this, according to authorities 

 presently to be cited, even in our southern counties. In 

 Scotland however there is now no doubt that many pairs re- 

 main and breed annually, and the same may perhaps prove 

 to be true of the north of England. It is generally found in 

 flocks, often in company with the Redpoll, to be hereafter 

 described, and not uncommonly in large numbers, feeding 

 on the seeds of the alder, birch and larch, which the bird's 

 pointed bill is an efficient instrument for extracting. Under 

 these circumstances it frequently attracts attention by its 

 very peculiar twittering note, serving as with the various 



* Fdngtlla spinus, Linnaeus, Syst. Nat. Ed. 12, i. p. 322 (1766). 



