SONG-BIRDS. Pine Siskin 



for their nesting-place some large maples that grow by the 

 southwest wall of the garden, extending their branches over 

 a waste field, where dandelions, thistles, Avild asters, and 

 goldenrod hold sway. A little before this time flocks of 

 birds assemble about the garden and every Jack chooses his 

 Jill, or vice versa. There is no more cheerful and confiding 

 garden companion than this Goldfinch. Seen even at a dis- 

 tance his markings are distinct, his identity complete ; you 

 do not have to puzzle or worry, but simply enjoy his society ; 

 he does not wish your berries, but helps you remove the 

 dandelion down from the lawn before the wind sows it 

 broadcast, and all the while you hear Canary-like music, 

 but wilder and more joyous, from behind a twig lattice 

 instead of cage bars. 



The black cap gives the male a ferocious look, Avholly 

 at variance with his character, while his mate is agreeably 

 feminine and gentle. These birds combine the rich colours, 

 which we associate with the tropics, and the stout-hearted, 

 cold-enduring New England nature, softened by the most 

 agreeably cosmopolitan manners. If you wish them to live 

 with you and honour your trees with their nests, plant sun- 

 flowers in your garden, zinnias, and coreopsis ; leave a bit of 

 wild grass somewhere about with its mass of compositae. 

 Coax the wild clematis everywhere that it can gain footing; 

 and in winter, when these joyous birds, gathered in flocks, 

 are roving, hard-pressed for food, scatter some sweepings of 

 bird seed about their haunts, repaying in this their silent 

 season, their summer melody. 



Pine Siskin : Spinus pinus, 



Plate V. Fig. 3. 

 Length: 4.75 inches. 



Male and Female : Striped generally ; above olive-brown and gray, 

 darkest on head and back. Below lighter, sometimes having a 

 decidedly sulphur-yellow tinge on rump and base of wing and 

 tail feathers. Bill and feet brown. 

 Song : Eesembling that of the American Goldfinch, but in a more 

 fretful key, and seldom heard in this locality. 

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