88 The Birds of Albany County 



County. At such times they are seen in the open fields feeding 

 on the seeds of dried weeds. They are very active, fly 

 rapidly, and it is very difficult to get near enough to observe 

 them. At a distance they appear like large flakes of snow, 

 blown by the wind. 



Pine Siskin. — Spinus pinus. 5.00 



Irregular and Rare Winter Visitant 



Field marks. — Feathers of upper parts black, margined with 

 dull brown, forming streaks; under parts buffy, streaked 

 with black; indistinct yellowish-white bar on wings; bill 

 sharply pointed. 



This bird is without doubt common enough about here some 

 Winters, but I have only one record of its having been taken. 



American Goldfinch. — Astragalinm tristis. 5.10 



Very Common Permanent Resident 



Field marks. — Entire body brilliant yellow, varying in 

 intensity according to age of bird; wings and crown 

 ebony black; female, an olive and dull black edition of 

 male; both throw themselves through the air in long, 

 jerky lopes, accenting these movements with a four- 

 syllable call. 



This bird is known in some parts of the country as the 

 Wild Canary; about Albany it seems to be known by no 



