THE SISKIN. 93 



sunflower seeds, and of hemp, but the latter is of too 

 fattening a nature to be allowed ad libitum, or even in 

 any quantity: canary and summer-rape seed are the best 

 staple diet, but if it is desired that a pair should breed, 

 they must be offered a large variety of food, including, 

 of course, their favourite aliment the seeds of various 

 kinds of pine and fir. 



THE SISKIN. 



I have found that fatty degeneration of the liver and 

 apoplexy, the latter very often, indeed I might say 

 generally, resulting indirectly from the former, are the 

 most usual diseases of the captive Siskin, and are more 

 easily prevented than cured. As I have given the 

 treatment in full in another place I do not intend to 

 repeat the directions here. 



