1558 THE PERCHING BIRDS 



ers in the nests of these birds, including those of the nutcracker. During the autumn 

 considerable numbers of brarnblings cross the North Sea to winter in the British Isles; 

 their arrival being usually heralded by the reiteration of their harsh call note. They 

 frequent stubble fields and farmyards in common with chaffinches, greenfinches, 

 and sparrows, but prefer to subsist upon beech mast. The adult male in breed- 

 ing plumage has the general color above blue black, with generally a few sandy 

 margins to the feathers; the lower back and rump being white; the wing coverts 

 orange rufous, tipped with white; the wing quills black, the primaries being edged 

 with pale yellow, and the inner ones white at the base forming a speculum; the 

 tail feathers are black, with the outer pair broadly white for more than half the 

 outer web; the crown and sides of the face are black; the throat and breast pale 

 orange rufous, and the flanks spotted with black. 



This group comprehends a number of small finches, characterized 



by the possession of a long and acute bill, long wings, and a short, 

 deeply-forked tail; green and yellow predominating in their plumage. All are 

 highly gregarious in habits. They belong to both the Old and New Worlds, having 

 representatives in Abyssinia, the Himalayas, Siberia, the United States, and espe- 

 cially South America, where several species are found in Chili, Bolivia, Ecuador, and 

 other parts of that continent. 



One of the most charming birds of the United States is the yellow 



bird or American siskin (Chrysomitris tristis), which is also common 



in many parts of Canada. It is a lively, graceful species, full of vi- 

 vacity, and leads a social life, roving about in small communities. Even in the 

 breeding season these birds are partial to the company of their fellows, and fly in 

 flocks between their nests and their favorite feeding grounds, where they consume 

 the seeds of various wild plants. The nest is small and compact, built of soft downy 

 substances. The eggs are white, with a rosy blush when fresh. After the breeding 

 season, the family parties unite permanently, and rove over the prairies in search of 

 weedy places where they can find subsistence. The adult male in summer is bright 

 golden yellow above and below; the crown and wings being black, the great coverts 

 tipped with white; and the tail black spotted with white. In September the general 

 plumage changes to pale flaxen brown above, and whitish brown below. 



From Japan to the British Isles the common siskin (C. spinus} is 

 _. ... found in suitable localities, breeding chiefly in the northern part of its 



range. During the breeding season the cock birds are restless and 

 lively, singing nearly all day, generally while on the wing, and sending their joyous 

 call notes ringing through the air. The nest is very like that of the goldfinch, 

 although not so neat; the one example that has come under our notice having been 

 placed in a fir tree about twelve feet from the ground. Although only occasionally 

 nesting in England, the siskin breeds regularly in Scotland; and it has been recorded 

 as breeding in Ireland. In winter it frequents alder groves, living in flocks, and 

 searching the catkins for their seeds; and it has also been seen feeding on thistle 

 heads and the seeds of wild grasses. It occasionally interpairs with the lesser red- 

 poll and goldfinch in confinement. The general color of the male siskin is yellowish 

 green above, the rump being bright yellow; the quills are blackish, the primaries 



